UDPATE: Friday morning, Macon County health officials reported a 7th resident of Fair Havens Senior Living died after contracting COVID-19. The victim was a woman in her 80's.
Thursday report
Thursday morning, the Macon County Health Department announced a 6th resident of the Fair Havens Senior Living complex died.
The latest victim was a female in her 90's, according to officials.
The latest news comes a day after authorities held a news conference to report the 4th and 5th deaths of residents at the nursing home.
Of the county’s 43 total confirmed cases, 32 are associated with the facility.
“Measures have been taken to isolate the people who have been confirmed and also the people who have been symptomatic,” said Brandi Binkley, Macon County's Public Health Administrator.
Fair Havens has been limiting who can come and go, but residents have not been put under quarantine. The home posted on its website that social distancing and other guidelines are being implemented.
Binkley said a request has been made to the Illinois Department of Public Health to get everyone at Fair Havens – both staff and residents -- tested. A request is also being made to provide more training for how to properly use masks, gloves and other Personal Protective Equipment.
Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe mentioned it's a new experience for facilities like this one and the employees.
"They are not working with infectious disease on a regular basis. So having to put on and take off personal protective equipment, it’s new for them," she said.
