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Nursing homes relying on flu plans as coronavirus threatens seniors

As the first fatalities in the U.S. from the novel coronavirus coming at a nursing home near Seattle, facilities in Arkansas have a plan.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With the first fatalities in the U.S. from the novel coronavirus coming at a nursing home near Seattle, long term care facilities in Arkansas are falling back on their plans in place to handle the flu.

"Because the coronavirus, from what we're finding, is similarly spread like any respiratory condition, like the flu virus," said Dr. Carol McKeever-Compass, the president of Professional Nursing Solutions, the subcontractor for 30 facilities in Arkansas including the Cottages at Poplar Grove in Little Rock. "So we just heighten our awareness during the flu season."

RELATED: Arkansas Department of Health testing 2 people for COVID-19

"I know about the coronavirus and I'm not afraid of it," said Edith Foot, a resident of one of the cottages who takes a stoic approach to the looming threat, but has confidence in her caregivers. "You know we had our shots. They keep this place so clean, and so hopefully we're prepared."

The facility is being extra vigilant about any coughs or colds that patients like Foot may come up with, and being extra cautious when it comes to visitors - especially kids.

"Children have an increased exposure and their symptoms may not manifest themselves," Dr. McKeever-Compass said. "They've come to see grandma or grandpa and then we find out the next day. So that's why we try to proactively do education with all of our residents."

Signs warning visitors to refrain from entering if they have fever, cough or shortness of breath. That's standard from most facilities overseen by the state.

"They are required under the regulations for those facilities to have infection control plans and procedures in place," said Marci Manley, the deputy chief of communications for the Dept. of Human Services.

Those plans don't have to be very complicated.

RELATED: Little Rock hospitals enact visitor restrictions among COVID-19 scare

"It sounds simple but those easy things like washing your hands, making sure you have hand sanitizer inside and outside the resident's room, and that you have personal protective equipment readily available," Manley said.

And any facility, no matter how fancy, should have a way to isolate patients if a bug goes around.

"Any long term care facility has that ability already," Dr. McKeever-Compass said. "They can isolate by wing, per room. They can put patients together with similar symptoms."

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