MILLCREEK, Utah — An assisted-living community in Millcreek has been hit hard by COVID-19, resulting in the deaths of seven residents.
Residents at the Highland Cove Assisted Living Community have been isolated in their apartments since April 5, after a man living there began to show symptoms, but tested negative.
A few days later, that resident was taken to a local hospital where he then tested positive.
Highland Cove says it works daily with the Salt Lake County Health Department which decided to test all residents at the facility, as well as staff.
On April 18, when the test results came in, 20 residents and nine staff members tested positive.
Of 20 residents diagnosed, 7 have died at local hospitals and 13 are being treated and recovering in-house.
"We mourn the loss of our residents that we lost in that community because our residents matter to us and our staff matter to us," said Esmerelda Lee, Chief Operating Officer with Century Park Associates which oversees operations at the facility. "And we’re just very impressed with all they’re doing right now at our Highland Place Community.”
Lee says they are continuing to take precautions at the facility including isolating residents to their rooms and not allowing people to visit, as well as disinfecting the facility.
Lee says she knows how much of an emotional toll this situation has taken on the families of the residents and the staff at the facility and that the operators are doing their best to care for everyone.
