CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The State Supported Living Center is in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak, however, local officials differ as to exactly how many people are affected.
According to the office of State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, 22 residents who live at the Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center have tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, 24 employees have also tested positive. City-County Health Department Director of Public Health Annette Rodriguez, however, said only 22 employees have tested positive for COVID-19.
A response plan has since been activated, which includes an isolation unit for the residents, having employees who work in that unit dress in full PPE, contact tracing, and requesting additional tests and retesting for residents and staff.
Beginning Thursday, all staff will also be required to wear eye protection, in addition to their masks.
During Monday's renewed daily joint city-county COVID-19 news briefing, City Manager Peter Zanoni said the Health Department will continue checking on the 10 nursing homes that have had an outbreak, including the Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center.
"That's one of the things they'll be managing," he said. "They have been working on it, really since last week and all weekend, and that will be some of the work they do tomorrow, is to check the protocols, the work set up and that type of thing."
Zanoni said a planned testing site at Concrete Street Amphitheater will be delayed, due to staff going to these facilities to help with protocols.
"Staff will be going there to do the testing and check their protocols, and see how the support staff that's at the nursing homes can help with the situation."
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission said the State Supported Living Center will continue contact tracing for any additional staff identified.