Cluster of COVID-19 cases reported at Hallmark Living, a long-term care facility

The Berrien County Health Department is investigating a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Hallmark Living Benton Harbor, a skilled nursing facility.

Four employees and four residents have tested positive for COVID-19.

Three of the residents who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and were terminally ill have died.

The employees who were diagnosed are self-isolating at home and residents who test positive are isolated in their rooms.

Hallmark has cancelled all group activities for residents, as well.

The health department says Hallmark Living is taking the following steps to mitigate the spread:

• Taking temperatures on all residents and staff twice a day
• Shutting down all communal spaces and residents are quarantined to their rooms
• Prohibiting all visitors to the facility
• Enhancing hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment for staff
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the facility

Nicki Britten, Health Officer at the Berrien County Health Department says,

“We have known that COVID-19 is present in our community, but this cluster of illnesses and loss of life at a facility serving some of our most vulnerable in our population is a sobering reminder that our community must continue to be vigilant with our actions to keep this virus from spreading. In addition to continuing mitigation strategies in the community, our department will continue to address the needs of our vulnerable populations, including those who live in congregate settings like long-term care facilities, said Nicki Britten, Health Officer at the Berrien County Health Department.

To date, there have been 105 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berrien County and five deaths due to the virus.