AURORA, Ohio — A long-term care facility in Portage County is dealing with a cluster of coronavirus cases.
At least ten residents and four staff members at Anna Maria of Aurora have tested positive, officials confirmed. One of those patients, an 85-year-old with "significant health conditions" later died at a local hospital.
The nursing home says it is complying with all CDC and state of Ohio guidelines regarding the virus, and it has since converted a rehab unit into a recovery and isolation area for the residents who have tested positive. In addition, the sick staff members are currently isolated at their homes.
"As this crisis sweeps across the nation, our hearts are with our residents and their families as we continue to support our recovering residents, and care for our community of staff and residents," owners and administrators Chris Norton and Aaron Baker said in a joint statement.
Kathy Rex lives in South Carolina, but her mother is a resident at Anna Maria. Rex told 3News her mom initially tested negative for the virus, but has since developed possible symptoms including coughing.
"It's tearing us all apart," Rex said. "We don't want our mother to die alone. I think that's the biggest fear: We don't want her to die alone, and that's really a hard thought."
Of the nearly 3,000 cases of COVID-19 in Ohio, 59 are in Portage County, with two deaths. It is unknown if all 14 Anna Maria cases were reported to the state department of health prior to their latest numbers release on Thursday.