GLENDALE, AZ — An assisted living facility has begun reporting its own COVID-19 cases this week.
Starting Monday, Glencroft Center for Modern Aging will be publicly reporting COVID-19 data on its website. The information will include the number of positive cases and deaths for residents and employees.
"Initially we went in line with the governor's recommendation which was not to publish this information because it was protective health care," said Scott McClintock, Chief Strategy Officer at Glencroft Center for Modern Aging. However, after a string of misinformation internally and many inquiries from residents, family members of residents and media, Glencroft decided to go against the grain and report the true numbers.
"In the first place, it's to provide reputable information because there is so much misinformation about us out there," said McClintock. "One of the resident's family members, who is in independent living, said, 'We're so glad you did this. Thank you for just putting it out there.'"
"We've tried to put out enough detail to provide good information but without risking or violating anybody's privacy," said McClintock.
As of Monday morning, Glencroft Center for Modern Aging reported 56 residents and 42 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Sixteen residents have died due to COVID-19, and 51 residents and employees have recovered from the virus.
Additionally, 31 employees had tested positive for COVID-19, 20 of whom have recovered and are back at work.
The data also shows the number of cases at each type of care facility at Glencroft, independent, assisted and skilled nursing.
According to the data published by Glencroft, all COVID-19 cases and deaths were in the assisted and nursing nursing areas, and none in independent living.
Glencroft reports a total of 1,367 residents on campus and 528 employees.
BREAKING: Glencroft Center for Modern Aging the first long-term care facility to post its COVID data. Here's their first update as of May 15:
— Adam Waltz (@Adam_Waltz) May 18, 2020
98 positive cases, 31 active cases
16 total deaths@abc15 pic.twitter.com/OEyYD9FDSD
The data will be continually shared on Glencroft's website under it's COVID update page.
"We will share this data with you on an ongoing basis so you have the most accurate and updated information available," said a Glencroft spokesperson in a statement.
"The reason is simple: full transparency to our residents, their families, our employees and the community we serve," said Greg Sexton, a spokesperson for Glencroft Center for Modern Aging.
ABC15 has obtained a letter sent from Glencroft to a family member of a resident living in Glencroft's Providence Place facility. That family member shared the letter, which was delivered on Wednesday.
The letter, dated May 13, said in the past week, at Providence Place, nine residents have tested positive of COVID-19, and six residents have died due to the virus. All six who died had underlying medical conditions, according to Glencroft's letter.
