Coronavirus: Koester Pavilion resident awaiting test result has died, 8 others hospitalized, 32 tested

TROY — A resident of Koester Pavilion who was taken to Upper Valley Medical Center a week ago and was awaiting a test result for coronavirus has died, according to the Miami County Coroner’s Office.

According to officials, the coronavirus test was administered on March 17, but results have not been returned yet.

“It cannot be confirmed as a death related to COVID-19,” said Dennis Propes, Miami County Health Commissioner.

Earl Bolinger, 93, died at Upper Valley Medical Center overnight, according to his granddaughter Andrea Lee. She said the test results weren’t 100 percent confirmed, but family is almost positive it was coronavirus.

Lee said her father, Steve Bolinger, was taken to the Dayton VA Medical Center from Koester Pavilion, which is where he tested positive for the virus.  Steve Bolinger has since been transfered to Miami Valley Hospital in critical condition, Lee said.

“Neither one of them has any signs, any symptoms,” Lee said.  “Next thing you know you heard about the virus then they are both being put in ICU.”

Propes said 32 people at the facility were showing symptoms of coronavirus, including 16 residents, 14 staff members and two visitors. All 32 were tested.

Miami County Public Health reported there were 11 positive coronavirus test results connected to the facility and the other tests are still pending.

Propes said the onset dates of symptoms for the patients at the facility range from March 11 to March 17 with an age range of 53 years old to 94 years old.  The age range for staff members being tested are 16 years old to 76 years old.

Eight people are hospitalized with a number of the patients being in the ICU and a number on ventilators, health officials said.

According to the Ohio Health Care Association, the Troy cases are the first in an Ohio long-term care facility.

"OHCA is working with our more than 1,000 members to ensure all proper steps are taken to fight the spread of coronavirus in skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, and agencies serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or delivering home care or hospice services,” said Ohio Health Care Association Executive Director Peter Van Runkle.

Miami County Public Health said the team there is continuing the investigation at Koester Pavilion and will release additional details as they are releasable.