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Senior living community confirms death of resident with COVID-19

HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 10 months AGO
by HILARY MATHESON
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | September 12, 2020 5:17 PM

An 87-year-old woman with COVID-19 has died, according to a press release sent by Immanuel Lutheran Communities on Saturday.

Her death has been classified by Kalispell Regional Medical Center as COVID-19-related, with other complications playing a role.

She was one of three Immanuel Lutheran Community residents living in the Skilled Care Center and Retreat who went into isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

The woman, who was previously asymptomatic, was in her 13th day of isolation and was preparing to move out of the senior living facility’s COVID-19 quarantine wing, when her health declined significantly. She was transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where she died shortly after being admitted on Thursday evening.

“Although this resident passed away outside of our facility, we feel it’s very important to continue

educating the public on the harsh reality that COVID-19 can transform in a matter of hours,” Immanuel Lutheran CEO Jason Cronk said.

“This resident was in general good health — eating well, resting and comfortable — when suddenly she took a turn for the worst. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers, as we mourn her loss,” he said.

According to the press release, “Immanuel continues to practice extensive Infection Prevention and Control measures to protect residents and educate staff to prevent COVID-19 from being introduced into our environment. The senior living community continues to monitor and test both residents and staff each week.”

For more information, visit www.ilcorp.org/resources/immanuel-lutheran-communities-covid-19-update/

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