22 new cases, first death reported at COVID-19-stricken Orinda nursing home

Facade of the Orinda Care Center nursing home in Orinda, California, the site of a major outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, April 6, 2020. Facade of the Orinda Care Center nursing home in Orinda, California, the site of a major outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, April 6, 2020. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Gado Via Getty Images Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Gado Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close 22 new cases, first death reported at COVID-19-stricken Orinda nursing home 1 / 49 Back to Gallery

There are now 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Orinda Care Center, the Contra Costa County senior living facility that has become an outbreak of major concern for county health officials.

The number of infected individuals rose from 27 Friday to 49 Monday, with 19 of the 22 new cases reported among staff members. In total, there are 25 infected residents and 22 infected staff members.

County public health officer Dr. Chris Farnitano said on Friday that nearly half of the individuals who initially tested positive were over the age of 80, and the facility will remain open so individuals can be monitored and continue to receive care.

"If they’re brought home, the virus could spread to family members, so the ones who would be providing care would then not be able to," he said. "We definitely want them to remain there where we can monitor them, isolate them and care for them. Many are brought there for care their families just cannot provide, so most cannot bring them home and provide that level of 24-hour nursing care these facilities provide."

Residents who tested positive will be separated from individuals who have not yet contracted the virus.

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Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting