Veterans Home Covid positive cases climb to 42

The Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne on Tuesday reported 42 positive Covid cases among its residents and staff.
That’s up from 36 reported cases last week at the same time a week ago.
The facility managed to stay Covid-free during the height of the pandemic, but the current outbreak in the local facility is prompting state attention.
Local facility management isn’t allowed to comment on the situation, but a state spokesman has said back-up nurses and other assistance has been dispatched to the Luverne veterans home to help.
According to state spokesperson Anne Sonne, the increasing number of positive cases is not unexpected. 
“While we continue to follow all infection prevention protocols, this COVID variant is highly contagious and difficult to contain once in a facility,” she said Tuesday.
 Luverne Administrator Scott Buchanan said Tuesday, “We are turning the corner and have had no new positive cases in the last two days.”
 The 42 cases include staff who are on a 10-day quarantine and residents who are on a 14-day quarantine, so some may be coming off of quarantine soon.
Some residents in the home have passed away in recent days, but there’s no confirmation as to whether they were covid-related.
Buchanan last week praised staff and health care workers.
“Staff and leadership are doing a remarkable job responding to this situation, and we are confident in the response we are providing,” he said. 
“I am truly proud of the staff. They are dedicated to the health and safety of our veterans.