65 residents, staff test positive for COVID-19 at LaSalle Veterans’ Home

LaSALLE COUNTY (25 News Now) - 42 residents and 23 staff members at the veterans’ home in LaSalle County have tested positive for COVID-19.

A COVID outbreak there two years ago killed 36 veterans and led to a lawsuit against the state by families of 27 of those veterans.

In a statement released Monday, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs said that all residents who have tested positive have been moved to the “negative pressure isolation unit” and are being closely monitored.

All of those who tested positive are showing mild symptoms - mostly cold-like - and no one has required hospitalization.

Communal dining has been curtailed in the home until the outbreak has ended. Activities and social services staff continue to develop leisure activities, in accordance with social distancing practices, to care for the psychosocial wellbeing of the veterans.

The veterans are allowed to have visitors, but it is highly encouraged that family members delay their visit until the outbreak is resolved.