HARRISBURG (WSIL) -- The recent coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak is impacting nursing homes in the region.
WLC Management Firm in Harrisburg manages 11 nursing homes across southern Illinois.
Based upon recommendations by state and federal health officials, WLC, like other senior communities in the area, is not allowing any visitors into its facilities.
The company has also eliminated communal dining and increased housekeeping.
CEO Scott Stout says residents and staff are taking everything in stride.
"The residents are adjusting well. The staff is doing an amazing and awesome job, so we're proud of 'em. We need all hands on deck and everybody to be there to help care for these residents. We're only allowing essential healthcare workers to come in, so we still have hospice nurses coming in. We still have our P.A.s and doctors coming in, but we do do a thorough screening of all of our staff prior to coming into work," explained Stout.
Stout says, while it's hard not to visit, each facility does has a tablet so families can video chat with their loved ones. Many of the WLC communities are also posting pictures of residents and messages on their Facebook pages.
