T-R photo by Thomas Nelson Accura Healthcare facility in Marshalltown has eight COVID-19 related deaths.

Accura Healthcare in Marshalltown has had eight deaths and 59 cases of COVID-19.

The information comes after the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services, a federal government department released information about the number of positive cases and deaths in retirement facilities throughout the country.

“Accura HealthCare of Marshalltown did experience an outbreak of COVID-19 that began in early May,” according to a statement from Lisa Toti, Accura vice president of strategic and organizational engagement. “During the outbreak period, the facility had a total of 42 residents and 17 staff members test positive and eight of the positive residents passed away.”

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services had reported Accura had 18 deaths in their facilities and 32 residents with positive causes of COVID-19, and nine residents suspected of having COVID-19 as of the week of June 28.

Those two numbers conflict, and the Center for Medicaid and Medicare has not changed its information on its website. If the center’s numbers are accurate, then Accura would account for the majority of Marshall County’s 19 COVID-19 related deaths.

Toti says the Center for Medicaid and Medicare’s numbers are inaccurate.

As of June 21, Accura’s Marshalltown location is no longer considered in an outbreak status, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

“Accura HealthCare of Marshalltown currently has no positive cases of COVID-19 for residents or staff,” Toti said. “During the outbreak period, we remained in communication with staff, residents and families, updating them on positive employee and resident cases and provided updates on new developments and additional mitigation actions taken.”

People in retirement facilities have been more susceptible to COVID-19 than others.

“Their immune systems may not be as strong,” said Pat Thompson, Marshall County public health nurse.

Overall, Marshall County has had 19 COVID-19 related deaths, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

“We take the responsibility of protecting our residents and staff very seriously and pray for an end to this pandemic and its harmful impact on our communities,” Toti said. “We are extremely grateful for our dedicated employees who have been and continue to be heroes in delivering care on the front lines of this pandemic. We love our residents, tenants, families, and staff and are committed to be, as our mission statement declares, partners in care and family for life.”

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Contact Thomas Nelson at 641-753-6611 or tnelson@timesrepublican.com