Victims of the extinct COVID-19 in Stonaičiai: as many died in a month as in a year

“I do not wish that to the greatest enemy, I do not want to remember,” said the head of the institution with difficulty.

The first cases of COVID-19 were registered at the end of October in the Stonaičiai welfare home, where people with mental disabilities live. Forces were dispatched to the site from the Plungė mobile checkpoint. 50 samples were taken in one day, 37 were positive.

Of a total of 160 wards, 87 were diagnosed with coronavirus and the number of staff was ill, the director could not name.

“You see, there was a lot of confusion at the time: some employees were sick, others had to isolate themselves, we had and still have several employees who were already on the newsletter for other reasons. Now, I can’t say how many workers were sick with coronavirus in particular. But really a lot. Some are easier, others more difficult, “said A. Vyšniauskas.

One hundred and a half patients: two nurses

A.Vyšniauskas assured that he had not yet learned how the infection could have reached the institution. Since the summer the entry of visitors is not allowed, the residents do not leave the territory. “Most likely the employee was infected, perhaps in some way asymptomatic, the person was not suspicious of himself,” commented A. Vyšniauskas.

Then the virus began to spread throughout the body in an instant. Several residents were hospitalized. At that time, an outbreak of the virus was recorded throughout the Plungė district.

“The ambulances received 45 calls a day. Calling them was not that easy. I am grateful to my colleagues, the manager of the Šiauliai Hospital, who sent people and trained the remaining employees on how to behave, how to use the existing facilities and where to remove their suits. protectors safely. These are the things to think well in case of a sudden outbreak, “explained the head of the institution.

Photo by Aurelija Jašinskienė / 15min.lt / Hospital Plungė

At one point, there were only 2 nurses left in the institution, although there were a hundred and a half inhabitants in the institution. “It’s difficult, it’s not that word … They also consulted with family doctors and sent photos. We were able to call several physicians to the site to advise on how to treat patients. But, you know, none of them complained. He did his job, ”said A. Vyšniauskas. Normally 5 nurses and a head nurse work here during the shift.

The director tried to find volunteers during a stressful time, applied to the Job Bank. However, there was no one who was suitable and capable of working in the office in a difficult time.

“And when I see that someone still doesn’t believe in that virus, they say nonsense. I have no words … ”, the interviewee did not hide his disappointment.

9 people died

During the last month, 9 people died in the Stonaičiai welfare home. When, on average, 8 to 12 wards die each year. The death certificates of 4 people indicated that the cause was COVID-19, others died of other causes. They were all in the so-called risk group.

A.Vyšniauskas stated that now that the situation is significantly better, a worsening of mental disorders can be seen in the population.

And at a time when most of them were ill, it was difficult to partly explain that you cannot walk freely, that you need to eat in the rooms. For people with intellectual disabilities, this pandemic has exacerbated the ailments.

“What you say here … is hard for us too, that tension … It will take time for us to recover psychologically,” said the director, who avoided the infection himself.

He assured that even now it is difficult to relax: the infection can reach the body again.

Mayor: The situation is improving

Audrius Klišonis, Mayor of Plungė District 15 minutes He stated that the situation in the municipality is clearly improving. A few weeks ago, Plungė was the first in Lithuania in terms of the number of patients with 100 thousand. population, now it is only – 42.

“It is true that although we see a clearly better situation, it is still wavy. If one day we see 2 or 3 new cases, the next we see 20. However, thanks to joint efforts, the situation is improving, ”said the mayor.

Photo by Aurelia Jašinskienė / 15min.lt/Plungė

However, he also expressed concern about neighboring municipalities – Rietavas, Mažeikiai, Telšiai – where more and more cases are recorded.

“People are now on the move, they are on the move, and the virus has not disappeared,” said the Plungė district chief.

In this city, one of the first imposed strict restrictions. But now that the situation is improving, the releases are already in place: a shift to coeducation for students in grades 5-12. Seniors will spend part of their time in schools and part of their time at home.