Country Oaks Care Center changes practices to improve safety during COVID-19

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Residents at the Country Oaks Care Center know how much the staff is helping them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a card from one of our family members whose mother has been with us for a few years. She just wanted us to know that she approves of what we’re doing and she understands the difficulties and is praying for us,” said co-owner Sharon Henning of Country Oaks Care Center.

Owners of the care center say it’s been tough since the COVID-19 pandemic began, especially after a coronavirus outbreak left 10 people dead at the facility.

"I want to say all those patients had underlying conditions. This is the most vulnerable population," said co-owner John Henning of Country Oaks Care Center.

While both owners say staff members followed all health protocols, a total of 30 residents and 28 staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in June.

Since then, they have not seen any new cases.

"We’ve been working really hard. Our staff really cares about our residents or staff likes to think of them as family," said Sharon Henning.

During the past two weeks, administrators say they have improved their infection control practices such as cleaning the residents living area.

"Here we’ve change some housekeeping things, some of the products that we use for cleaning, and actually some of the procedures that we use and how we clean a patient’s room," said John Henning.

The owners are hoping to allow visitors if next week's test results come back with good news.