By Jerry Bellune 
JerryBellune@yahoo.com
Despite their best efforts to protect their people, covid has hit the local retirement community hard.
The latest Department of Health and Environmental Control data shows that 13 Lexington County area nursing and retirement homes have suffered 53 resident deaths but lost no staff.
A total of 379 residents and 165 staff have been infected at the homes.
Extended Care in Lexington, SC’s largest nursing home, has been hit hardest with 160 residents and 32 staff members infected and 35 residents have died.
Of the other 12:
• Generations of Batesburg-Leesvile reported 23 residents and 3 staff infected but no deaths. 
• Generations of Chapin reported 7 residents and 3 staff infections and 3 resident deaths.
• Heritage at Lowman reported 23 residents and 3 staff infections and 1 resident death. 
• Carolina Gardens in Lexington had 1 staff infection but no resident deaths.
• Carolina Gardens in West Columbia reported 21 residents and 9 staff infections and 4 resident death. • Carolina Gardens in Harbison reported 1 resident infections but no deaths.
• Oak Leaf Village in Lexington reported 27 residents and 11 staff infections but no deaths.
• Morningside in Lexington reported 1 staff infections but no deaths.
• Colonial Gardens reported 24 residents and 9 staff infections and 4 deaths. 
• Brian Center reported 36 residents and 21 staff infections and 5 deaths.
• 3 Rivers reported 36 residents and 28 staff infections but no deaths.
• Wellmore of Lexington reported 7 residents and 11 staff infections and 1 death.
• Rapha reported 14 residents and 6 staff infections and no deaths.