Seneca View reports an increase in virus cases

MONTOUR FALLS-Schuyler Hospital officials announced Monday, Dec. 21 they are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 positive cases at the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility. Currently, there are 18 known positive cases at Seneca View, 14 of these residents are experiencing no symptoms.
The positive cases were detected due to testing that Schuyler Hospital has been doing since the pandemic started earlier this year. In addition, all Seneca View employees are tested twice weekly when active cases are identified in a specific unit. Residents which have tested positive are separated from other residents and remain in rooms that have special air filters. All Seneca View employees are in full personal protective equipment at all times. Additional safety measures include restricting visitation, continuous washing of hands, the installation of plexiglass shields in key areas, social distancing in all areas, hand sanitizing stations, enhanced cleaning throughout the facility, and more.
Since the beginning of the first local cases of COVID-19, Seneca View leadership has been working in partnership with Schuyler County Public Health to increase testing and conduct contact tracing in the community. Since then, the New York State Department of Health has conducted five on-site visits and found no deficiencies by the team. The Seneca View and Schuyler Hospital teams have been working closely with its partner hospital, Cayuga Medical Center, to transfer patients that require hospitalization.
"Schuyler Hospital and Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility have implemented and continue to maintain stringent safety measures in compliance with the New York State Department of Health and the CDC guidelines to protect patients, residents of Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility, and our employees," stated Rebecca Gould, President and Chief Financial Officer of Schuyler Hospital. "It is through these protocols and the testing of staff and residents, that we identified a recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases of our residents. We have been in continuous communication with our residents and their families to keep them informed."