Santa Clara Co. reports 151 COVID-19 cases at nursing home, 60 cases at homeless shelter

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County said Thursday it is monitoring several coronavirus outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including nursing homes and at least one homeless shelter.

According to public health officials, 151 people tested positive for COVID-19 during a recent outbreak at the Westwood Post-Acute center in San Jose, formerly called Amberwood Gardens.

Santa Clara County also announced its first outbreak at a homeless shelter since the pandemic began, reporting 60 cases at the Boccardo Reception Center, four of them were staff.

RELATED: Santa Clara Co. announces new restrictions as COVID-19 cases surge

"We transferred everyone who was positive into a hotel to isolate safely," said Dr. George Han, the Deputy Health Officer at the Santa Clara County Health Department.

Even the people who did not test positive yet, but may have been exposed, were also sent to hotel rooms to quarantine.

Dr. Han said the city's largest shelter at South Hall in Downtown San Jose is also being monitored for a possible outbreak.

RELATED: Santa Clara Co. issues $115K in COVID-19 fines over holiday weekend

The county has detected seven positive cases there, but said it has not determined if cases are more widespread.

Since the pandemic began, Santa Clara County has reported 1,837 positive COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities, such as skilled nursing homes and assisted living centers. Of that, 270 people have been hospitalized and 220 died.

"They seem to have it under control," said Huang, who declined to give his last name, about Westood Post-Acute.

His father was transferred there from another facility two weeks ago and just came out of quarantine.

EXCLUSIVE: East Bay nursing home owner speaks out amid deadly coronavirus outbreak

The death toll has climbed yet again at Orinda Care Center. In her first interview, the facility's owner tells the ABC7 I-Team that a fourth patient who tested positive for coronavirus has died.

"This is the first time we are able to see him today," said Huang.

By "see" he means they were able to see him through a glass door and talk over the phone.

"It's a little hard to communicate," he admitted. "I had to put him on the cellphone speakerphone. Even then, he's hard of hearing."

So far, his father has not contracted the virus.

ABC7 reached out to Westwood Post-Acute for comment but did not hear back.

Another skilled nursing facility in San Jose, Skyline Healthcare Center, also had a recent outbreak. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Skyline has had 86 positive cases, 20 of which were healthcare workers. ABC7 also reached out to Skyline for comment but has not yet received a response.

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
• COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season
• Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
• COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
• California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
• Health experts urge flu shots in effort to avoid 'twindemic'
• How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
• Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
• First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
• From salons to dinner parties: Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
• Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
• What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
• What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
• COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic