Riverside Nursing Facility Reopens After Coronavirus Evacuation

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A skilled nursing facility in Riverside that was evacuated and shut down in April due to a COVID-19 outbreak has reopened with new safety protocols in place.

More than 80 patients were evacuated from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and sent to alternative facilities on April 8 after a rash of no-shows from staff, which prompted an investigation by the Riverside University Health System.

It officially reopened Friday.

Officials later said 34 patients and 16 workers had tested positive for COVID-19.

"The facility worked with the state and county for several months on its reopening plan, including providing additional employee training and personal protective equipment. The county's Skilled Nursing Facility Outreach and Support (SOS) teams visited the facility twice in recent weeks, Brooke Federico, a spokeswoman for Riverside County, said in a press release.

The California Department of Public Health also reviewed the facility and approved its reopening before it began accepting patients Friday.

"The reopening of Magnolia Rehabilitation Center will be a big help to ease the burden from our local hospitals," said District Two Supervisor Karen Spiegel. "Skilled nursing facilities treat patients recently discharged from the hospital and they are a critical part of our surge plans."

—City News Service

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know