Coronavirus Outbreak Hits Riverside Nursing Home

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) -- About 30 patients and some staff members at a Riverside nursing home have tested positive for coronavirus, officials said.

The outbreak happened at the Extended Care Hospital of Riverside, according to local health authorities.

Health officials are working to determine the source of the cases and see if others at the 90-plus bed facility may have also been infected.

RELATED: Riverside County Residents Now Under Mandate To Not Leave Homes Without Face Coverings

Meanwhile, the facility is closed to new patients, staff is no longer allowed to work at other facilities and sick patients are being isolated from those who are well.

The Department of Public Health is restricting visitors from seeing residents at the nursing home in order to prevent spreading the virus.

"For us, it's the biggest cluster we've had so far in a facility like this," said Jose Arballo of Riverside Public Health.

The outbreak comes as Riverside health officials are taking new measures by issuing an order that all residents must wear a face-covering in public.

Nothing has been said about enforcing this requirement, but officials are hoping that educating people will be enough.

Cases are continuing to rise in Riverside County, according to officials, outpacing predictions.

"We're trying to flatten the curve and the curve is not flattening enough," Arballo said.

With Easter just days away and people forced into unconventional celebrations, everyone is urged to continue doing their part and practicing physical distancing and proper hygiene.

"We're trying to work something out with worship leaders in the county," he said.

For the latest number of cases in Riverside County, click here.