13 veterans recover from coronavirus at Linn County facility

LEBANON, Ore. — Thirteen out of the 16 residents at the veterans home in Lebanon that were sick with the coronavirus have recovered, the Oregon Health Authority said Friday.

Two died of the disease, however, after the first case of COVID-19 was reported at the Edward C. Allworth Veterans' Home on March 11.

Health officials said there is still one person at the facility with coronavirus.

"Words cannot express our gratitude to the medical staff at the home who helped guide these recoveries, and who provided such exceptional care to our honored residents," said Kelly Fitzpatrick, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs director.

One resident who survived COVID-19 is World War II veteran William Lapschies, who just turned 104 years old.

He was diagnosed with the disease at the beginning of March and became very sick. But he recovered.

His family says that doctors tried a couple of things to treat him, including using hydroxychloroquine, which is a drug used to treat malaria.

Lockdown protocols are still place at the home.