GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Orchard Hospital is currently responding to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in both staff and patients. On November 25th, 2020, regular weekly testing of staff began showing higher than normal positivity rates. The number of positive results warranted the testing of all patients admitted in Orchard Hospital as well as its skilled nursing facility, also known as Hovlid Community Care Center (HCCC). In total, 16 staff, including some agency staffing, and 32 patients, tested positive for COVID-19.

"Just like every hospital in the country right now, we are caring for COVID-19 patients within our hospital. We were successful for many months of maintaining an almost zero infection rate, but despite our best efforts, COVID-19 has found its way into our hospital," Steve Stark, Orchard Hospital's CEO, says.

Orchard Hospital is a 24-bed general acute critical access hospital with an 82-bed distinct part skilled nursing facility. Orchard Hospital provides emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services to many communities in and around Butte County.

"We are praying for quick recoveries for our staff and patients," Stark concludes.

About Orchard Hospital For over seventy years and with the highest standards of excellence and integrity, Orchard Hospital has been serving the Biggs, Gridley, and Richvale areas of Butte County, and Live Oak in Sutter County, to provide closer-to-home health care for the region. The hospital currently has 24 General Acute Care beds. It operates two Medical Specialty Centers; one in Gridley and one in Oroville, as well as the 82-bed Hovlid Community Care Center (Skilled Nursing Facility). Orchard Hospital's Mission is Improving the Health and Well-Being of Our Community in an environment of compassion, humanity, and care for the communities that are served.