BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Local and state officials are reporting that nearly half of Kern County's coronavirus-related deaths have come from the Kingston Healthcare Center in Southwest Bakersfield.
According to County Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop, as of Thursday Kinsgton can account for 86 positive cases, including five hospitalizations, and seven deaths. The number of deaths making up nearly half the number of total deaths in the county.
Alsop said Kingston is overseen and regulated by the State Department of Public Health, which last week sent 35 healthcare professionals to help with staffing.
Earlier this month, 23ABC reported that the local nursing care facility had four employees test positive for COVID-19. Documents showed the facility had a long history of failing to properly care for the elderly, according to the California Department of Public Health.
The California Department of Public Health has cited the Kingston Health Care Facility more than 14 separate times since 2015, according to documents. Just within the last six months they were also cited with a Double-A citation, which is considered one of the most serious violations.
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