OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) -- A veterans' home is trying to get rid of the coronavirus after being hit with an outbreak.

According to a press release from Mississippi Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs is working to “contain and eliminate” the virus.

The press release said as of Monday, the home in Oxford reported 19 of its residents had tested positive for the coronavirus. The home also reported two deaths, one of which was a patient in hospice. Twelve staff members who work in the home also tested positive.

MVSA said it is working through its COVID response plan to combat the virus. It said it is also following recommendations from the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Robert Collier is a Batesville resident. He said he thinks the home in oxford is doing a fine job of responding to the outbreak.

“I think they’re doing a good job with the process of keeping it low,” he said.

Collier said he is very close to his father, Windell Doyle Collier, a 91-year-old veteran who was a mechanic in the Korean War. Collier said sometimes he brings his father breakfast.

“I bring him something to eat, he’s a big coffee drinker. He likes to snack.”

He and his sister try to stay in contact with their father, but the coronavirus has made that difficult.

“The COVID outbreak has been very difficult in having, you know, contact with him, but I understand the quarantine, I understand the position of the VA, so hopefully it’ll be over soon,” Collier said.

According to Collier, a cell phone video chat or a visit through a glass barrier are the only ways he can see his dad right now. He said he can go to the front porch and have a window visit with his dad when the home allows it, but those visits are not allowed for the time being.

Collier added he has no problems with the home’s operation.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to bring up any, you know, complaints because everyone’s trying their best to get through this,” he said.

MVSA Director Stacey Pickering is quoted in the press release as expressing condolences and reassuring the home is doing its best in the situation.

"On behalf of everyone at our Agency, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the residents that passed away due to complications from COVID- 19. We want to make sure the families of our residents are aware of the steps that we are taking to mitigate the impacts of the virus."

According to the press release, anyone entering the facility must wear proper protective equipment. The release also said that in-person visits are not allowed until the situation is deemed safe.