24 COVID-19 deaths reported at nursing home, grandson of resident weighs in

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The great grandson of a resident in Pine Meadows Nursing Home in Lexington says he’s concerned about the number of coronavirus-related deaths the state is reporting, but he’s confident in the facility’s ability to control the outbreak.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reports three more coronavirus-related deaths at the home. According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, that brings the number of people who lived at that home who have died from the virus to 24, the most of any nursing home in the state.

“They’re telling us they’re crossing all their T’s and dotting all their I’s,” says Bill Watkins, the great grandson of current resident, Norma Johnson.

Watkins says his great grandmother, who has dementia, has been at Pine Meadows since 2017.

“The state of the facility itself was A-plus,” says Watkins. “They treat everybody like human beings, as a nursing home should.”

Watkins says that hasn’t changed since the pandemic hit in March. He stays concerned, but he thinks it’s just the nature of the virus, especially when it comes to an older population.

“They’re going to contract the illness more readily than the rest of the general population and show symptoms of it,” says Watkins.

According to the Lexington Herald Leader, the Office of Inspector General reported Pine Meadows to be in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines since July.

Watkins says his great grandmother was diagnosed with COVID-19 about two months ago.

“With treatment she was able to recover in a fairly short order,” says Watkins.

Now, he’s hoping that will keep her safe going forward.

“I’m really hoping that she’s got those antibodies within her system to be able to fend off any more attacks,” says Watkins. “I’m concerned. I’m extremely concerned. That’s my great grandmother. I’ve known her my whole life and I love her dearly.”