Santa Barbara retirement home confirms hospice resident death was not due to COVID-19

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Santa Barbara senior living facility Maravilla released a statement to families this week confirming that the recent death of a hospice resident was not caused by their contraction of the coronavirus.

Last week, Maravilla announced that a resident was attended to by a third-party hospice care worker who ended up testing positive for COVID-19. Upon testing, the resident was found positive as well but sadly passed away just as the results of their test were released.

Maravilla's Executive Director Ruth Grande confirmed on Monday that, according to the hospice resident's physician, COVID-19 was not the cause of their death.

The infected hospice worker has reportedly not been to Maravilla since April 6. No other hospice care residents have tested positive for the virus.

Grande reported this coronavirus incident occurred in Building A on the property and that Independent Living residents have not been allowed in Building A for more than a month.

Maravilla is continuing to institute extensive health screening for visitors and employees every day in order to protect residents from an outbreak of the virus.

The senior facility said it has suspended all group activities and requires all employees and essential visitors to wear masks at all times
when working.

Residents are also reminded to report any COVID-19 related symptoms immediately and to seek medical attention.