NEW ORLEANS — The number of deaths at Lambeth House, a senior living community in New Orleans, is up to 11. That’s the same number of deaths for all of Los Angeles as of Tuesday.
As healthcare workers fight to contain the virus, family members of the residents say they’re starting to feel helpless.
John Gathright’s mother Barbara is in memory care at Lambeth. She has COPD and Alzheimer’s. John just got the news he feared.
“Sunday night at 6 o’clock, we got the call that mom was in fact positive,” he said.
John is grateful to Lambeth for the great care they have given his mother before the outbreak and after, but he feels that this situation is overwhelming for them.
“I think these guys are in over their head,” he said. “I don’t think they realize it and we need help. Federal, state, local help.”
In the nursing care wing, there have now been a few deaths. Originally, the cases were contained to the independent living division.
Lambeth House believes that the virus spread before they were aware of the first case, with residents visiting friends in nursing care.
The relative of someone in nursing care at Lambeth House did not want to talk on camera, but shared an email from Lambeth with Eyewitness News stating:
"Beginning today, there will be no more reporting of number of tests performed or number of positives. Family will be notified in the event that your loved one meets the CDC criteria for testing."
This relative says less information only adds to the anxiety and uncertainty at a time when there is no visitation. Without visitation, something else is weighing on John’s heart.
“I want to know if there’s any way to establish a way to have an end of life meeting with my mom,” he said.
Lambeth house says by following CDC protocols, the number of new positive tests has slowed considerably.
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