Health officials investigate after two respiratory illnesses claimed the lives of two people and hospitalized 18 people in an assisted living center

Two residents of a Virginia home care center died and 18 others were hospitalized with respiratory symptoms in the last 11 days, prompting Fairfax County health officials to open an investigation on the outbreak in the Springfield facility, officials said Thursday.

The Fairfax County Health Department announced the opening of a Greenspring investigation after 54 out of 263 residents reportedly had symptoms ranging from coughs to pneumonia, department officials said. a statement.

The cause of death for both residents was not identified immediately, the statement said, but tests are underway by the Virginia Department of Health and the Inova Health System.

According to the statement, the facility has cooperated with health officials and "appropriate measures have been taken to reduce the risk of infection and ensure the safety of residents, including the closure of the facility. for new admissions, canceling group activities, keeping sick residents in their rooms and cleaning up. " . "

An appeal to Greenspring was not returned Thursday and officials could not be reached.

Read more:

Local newsletters: Local headlines (8h) | Buzz of the afternoon (16h)