OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Authorities say three nursing homes in Western Washington will open coronavirus units to house people recovering from COVID-19 and help prevent its spread to other long-term care residents.
Health officials said Monday 135 beds will be available at facilities in Tacoma, Shoreline and Bellingham.
The country’s first deadly COVID-19 cluster happened at a Seattle-area nursing home where more than 40 died.
The new COVID-19 wings will be cordoned off, have their own entrances and dedicated staff. Once a resident has recovered and has two negative COVID-19 tests over a period of at least two weeks, they will return to their original long-term care facility or other residential setting of their choice.