EXCLUSIVE: Owner of Orinda nursing home speaks out amid deadly coronavirus outbreak at facility
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- 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 the novel coronavirus has died.
Crystal Solorzano tells us, "I have been in the healthcare business, more specifically skilled nursing since I was 15 years old."
Coronavirus California: Gov. Newsom to announce state's plan to ease stay-at-home orders, reopen economy
The 37-year-old owns 11 nursing homes up and down the state and has agreements to manage or consult at several more.
In her first interview since the coronavirus outbreak at Orinda Care Center, she broke the news that another patient has died.
Crystal Solorzano: "Sadly, we were told this morning that a fourth patient has passed away."
Dan Noyes: "I wonder what you say to the families of your patients who have become infected and especially to the families of those who have passed away?"
Crystal Solorzano: "Number one, our condolences. This is such a terrible, terrible virus that is going across the world right now."
In all, 28 patients have been infected; the survivors are being treated there at Orinda Care. Two dozen staff who have the virus were sent home to quarantine.
Coronavirus: COVID-19 may have been spreading in Bay Area since late 2019, according to report
Dan Noyes: "What was it about your facility that allowed the virus to spread so rapidly and thoroughly?"
Crystal Solorzano: "You know what I can tell you is that based on the way the virus spreads, which we do know it's changing minute by minute, when it gets into a building, it can spread very quickly because of the nature of the virus."
The experts tell ABC7 News that Infection control depends in large part on adequate staffing, yet Orinda Care Center was cited in August for failing to meet minimum staffing requirements on 16 of 24 days checked. At Orinda and her other homes, the state also found issues with lack of care and sexual assault of residents by staff. Solorzano had three license applications denied in December, because violations at her current properties posed "immediate jeopardy" for residents.
Dan Noyes: "What is going on? How are your clients in immediate jeopardy in those homes?"
Crystal Solorzano: "There's a lot of things that I would like to speak about. And when the time is right, Dan, you're going to be the first one to talk with me about them."
Dan Noyes: "Right now, would you put your own family member in your facilities?"
Crystal Solorzano: "Without a doubt.
Solorzano tells me her primary struggle now is finding enough masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment for her staff.
Crystal Solorzano: "To be honest, it doesn't matter if I have all the PPE in the world, if somebody else's nursing home doesn't and my nurse goes there, and might contract the virus and bring into into our building."
Coronavirus: Video shows more than 150 at illegal San Francisco nightclub amid COVID-19 crisis
She has been getting her other facilities to boost the spirits of staff in Orinda, who are battling that deadly outbreak.
Crystal Solorzano told her Orinda Care Cen ter nurses on Facetime, "I promise you, when we get through this, I'm going to take care of you all."
She told the I-Team, "I need them to know if a patient is diagnosed today, we expect them to show up. We expect them to dig their heels in and leave their fears at home and take care of those patients. It's okay to be scared and we're going to support each other through it."
By the way, Crystal Solorzano tells us she's filming a documentary, and she recorded our interview for it.
Take a look at for a look at more stories by Dan Noyes and the ABC7 News I-Team.
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:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- 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/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of living in the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19
