LEBANON — The Boone County Health Department says 12 deaths at a Lebanon long-term health care facility were caused by COVID-19.
According to the health department, Homewood Health Campus requested a "strike team" from the health department after their first death about two weeks ago. Since then, 11 additional patients have died at the facility.
All deaths have been elderly patients and many have had pre-existing health conditions, according to the health department.
"Strike teams are deployed when a facility requests assistance," the health department said in a release issued Thursday morning. "Strike teams can train staff on proper use of personal protective equipment, creating infection risk-reducing strategies, and testing at-risk individuals for the coronavirus disease. They have been deployed throughout our state in the past for various public health concerns that require a more targeted response."
Another Boone County facility, Hoosier Village, has reported one COVID-19 related death. A strike team visited that facility on April 15.
"Long-term care facilities are more likely to have ongoing issues with COVID-19 due to the ages and comorbidities of their residents," the health department said. "In the current situation, COVID-19 strike teams visit these facilities to test symptomatic individuals and to implement infection control measures. These facilities have been compliant in working with the strike teams in addressing these cases."
