Crime & Safety

Outbreak At Springfield Retirement Center Sickens 54, Kills 2

Health officials say a respiratory outbreak has left two people dead and 18 hospitalized.

A respiratory outbreak at a Springfield nursing home left two people dead and 18 in the hospital.
A respiratory outbreak at a Springfield nursing home left two people dead and 18 in the hospital. (Shutterstock)

SPRINGFIELD, VA — An outbreak of respiratory symptoms has killed two and left 18 hospitalized in a Springfield retirement community. The Fairfax County Health Department says 54 people of the 263 residents at Greenspring Retirement Community became sickened within 11 days. Symptoms ranged from a cough to pneumonia.

Health officials have not yet identified a specific cause of the outbreak. The state health department and Inova Health System are conducting tests.

WJLA reported that the outbreak was limited to the assisted living and skilled nursing parts of the community. The retirement community is closing the facility to new admissions, cancelling group activities, keeping sick residents in their rooms and increasing cleaning.

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According to the county's health department, anywhere from five to 10 respiratory outbreaks happen each year. Facilities housing older populations are especially vulnerable, but these outbreaks tend to happen in the winter and flu season rather than the summer.

WJLA obtained a letter from Greenspring's directors asking residents to report symptoms such as fever, cough, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat or body aches.

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