CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Governor Pritzker said a “worst case scenario” involving COVID-19 has become reality at a downstate veterans home, which has now fired its administrator.
Reports of safety violations and employees continuing to work after testing positive for COVID-19 have led to the firing of the LaSalle Veterans Home administrator Angela Mehlbrech.
"IDVA Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn will be taking over as the interim LaSalle Home administrator effective immediately," Governor Pritzker said.
The LaSalle Veterans Home has seen over 100 residents and nearly 100 employees test positive for COVID-19. At least 32 of those residents have died.
Governor Pritzker calls the situation "infuriating."
"The loss of life at our LaSalle Veterans Home is heartbreaking, which is why I continue to use every resource at my disposal to stop the community spread that makes this virus so insidious...
“These tragic losses serve as a stark and painful example of what happens when community spread is rampant. It should never have been this bad."
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“The independent investigation into the actions of leadership and staff will continue, as will our work with the federal veterans administration experts to ensure that all of our veterans homes are fully in compliance with all required health and safety measures. We will do everything possible to safeguard the lives of our heroes," Pritzker said.
Other reports have found the home used ineffective hand sanitizer.