MANITOWOC, Wis. (NBC 26) -- A Manitowoc nursing and rehab center went several months without a positive case of COVID 19, but like many healthcare facilities that has changed. Now the facility is once again restricting how patients can communicate with guests and how they monitor the health of their patients and staff.
At the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center, the majority of visitations will have to be conducted outside or through windows once again. The announcement was made following at least one positive case of COVID 19 at the facility, which was confirmed in a letter to families in late August.
"We've had to visit outdoors, we have had to limit our contact time because of that. I'm concerned about the emotional well-being of mom and everybody else," says Patricia McCarthy of Mishicot who's mover is staying at the facility for likely a few more weeks.
McCarthy's mother currently lives at the facility after recently breaking her hip, and while Patricia says she is satisfied with the care given to her mom there is an underlying concern. McCarthy is concerned about the number of staff members unvaccinated at the facility and the potential that they could compromise her mother's health.
"Some have said they don't have it yet and some said they are on the fence about it," says McCarthy describing interactions with employees at the facility.
According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as of August 15th, about 90 percent of the residents at the Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center are fully vaccinated, compared to just under 50 percent of the staff.
"Maybe I was naive. But I didn't expect such a nonchalant attitude from people working in the field," adds McCarthy.
Mccarthy says she'll be the first to admit that she was hesitant to get vaccinated early on too. But when she started to consider how she could affect her mother or other elderly relatives she got the shot. Today, she hopes those who care for her mom will consider getting it too.
"I have empathy for anyone working in this situation. I know it's challenging and I know it's not a simple thing. But you know the residents live here, whether it's permanent or temporary and it's their house. I think we have to consider it, their house their rules, and I think we have to respect their rights too," adds McCarthy.
