PINEHURST — More than 20 resident patients at a Moore County nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Moore County Health Department issued a press release Wednesday saying that 26 of the 96 patients and five of the 115 staff members of Pinehurst Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center tested positive.
The testing was conducted in conjunction with FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and with the cooperation of the nursing home after a case was linked to the facility over the weekend, according to health officials.
“These are preliminary numbers, not all results for the residents and staff have been received at the time of this release,” health officials said. “Once those results are received, Moore County Health Department will provide an update. All test results received are shared with the affected residents and their families. To protect privacy, no further information about the individuals who have tested positive will be shared by the Health Department.”
Health officials say those who tested positive have been isolated from the rest of the population and none of those diagnosed “have exhibited severe symptoms or signs of respiratory distress.”
“Pinehurst Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center’s skilled nursing staff will continue to provide quality care to all residents, with resident and staff safety being the utmost priority,” health officials said. “The facility will work in a coordinated effort with the Moore County Health Department to closely monitor residents and stop the further spread of COVID-19. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital will provide extended care to the facility’s residents or staff should their symptoms become severe.”
Health officials said the facility has consistently followed state guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including restricting visitation and “strictly adhering to infection prevention practices.”
The latest round of cases brings Moore County’s total to more than 50, including two deaths. On Monday, the total from the health department was listed at 20, although records with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services only show 37.
WBTV reports a total of 21 coronavirus outbreaks across the state, including 18 at long-term care facilities. Two Mecklenburg County nursing homes were noted as having cases, while a third is being investigated.
According to WTVD, two of those are in Orange County, where 60 people, residents and staff, tested positive at a PruittHealth facility in Chapel Hill. There are another three cases at Signature HealthCARE.
