NORTH CANAAN, Conn. (WCBS 880) -- A COVID-19 outbreak at a Connecticut nursing home has left eight residents dead and dozens others sickened.
Geer Village Senior Community, located in North Canaan, said that since Sept. 30, 89 residents and staff have contracted COVID-19.
Officials said among those who contracted the virus, 67 were residents, but eight with “serious underlying health issues” have died.
A total of 22 staff members also contracted COVID-19. Officials said only three active cases remained in the community.
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Of the 89 infected, all but two were fully vaccinated, according to officials. The home's website said it had a 99% vaccination rate, and staff are still required to be masked.
Nursing home officials said that they test residents and staff on a bi-weekly basis. In-person visits have been suspended amid the outbreak.
“While we must continue with COVID-19 prevention protocols, we want to assure everyone we are doing our best to keep residents and staff safe. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” officials said in a COVID-19 update.
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The nursing home said it is continuing to offer antibody treatments and will offer residents and staff the COVID-19 vaccine booster when the community goes two weeks without a new virus case.
"We're following the guidance of the Department of Health," said Geer Village CEO Kevin O'Connell to ABC News. "And they do not recommend providing booster to anybody with active infections for 14 days after the outbreak."