COVID-19 outbreak sickens staff, residents at Russell Home after 15 months without cases

ORLANDO, Fla. — For generations, the Russell Home for Atypical Children has provided a safe place for children and adults with special needs. But now they’re facing one of their toughest battles yet: COVID-19.

The facility went 15 months through the pandemic with no positive cases of COVID-19.

READ: Simone Biles pulls out of women’s gymnastics team final, US takes silver

but in the last few weeks, the virus has spread like wildfire among residents and staff.

So far 12 staff members and 17 residents have tested positive in the last three weeks.

READ: Coronavirus: CDC recommends masks indoors for some vaccinated people

There’s no way to know who brought the virus in but Administrator Betty Turner is sharing this ordeal as a reminder to all who care for the most vulnerable — don’t let your guard down.

“We know how to stop it from happening... We did it for a year and three months,” Turner said. “We did it, and then we opened back up, and this is where we are.”

READ: Babysitter charged with murder after violently shaken baby dies of injuries 35 years later