HAMLET — At least one local nursing home is shutting itself off to visitors.
Hamlet House, on Freeman Mill Road, announced Thursday afternoon that closing to visitors until further notice due to heightened public health concerns.
“Although we do not have any cases of COVID-19 identified in our community, we are taking extra precautions as advised by state health departments, and feel creating this Haven of Wellness is a necessary step to protect our residents from this virus,” reads a post on the nursing home’s Facebook page.
According to health officials, those at the highest risk for contracting COVID-19 are: those 65 or older; those with underlying medical issues, including heart disease, lung disease and diabetes; or those with weakened immune systems.
“We can’t wait until it is once again safe to welcome visitors into our community, but until then we thank you for your patience and understanding and ask that you, too, take extra steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
Anyone with any questions is encouraged to contact the executive director.
Health and Human Services Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell confirmed earlier Thursday that there have been no reported cases reported in Richmond County, though he did acknowledge that some individuals have been tested.
If a case is confirmed, an announcement will be made by the county government.
According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, 14 people have tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. One of those is a Durham resident who tested positive in another state.
The latest three patients include two from Forsyth County and one from Johnston County.
Further testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The couple from Forsyth was on a cruise where other travelers have tested positive,” according to NCDHHS. “The exposure for the person from Johnston County is being investigated.”
So far, only one individual in North Carolina has been confirmed positive by the CDC.
FirstHealth of the Carolinas has also limited visitation to immediate family at all of its hospitals in the region, including Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond in Rockingham.
According to NCDHHS, COVID-19 is “is a new strain not previously identified in humans. COVID-19 was originally detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and has now spread to more than 34 countries, including the United States, which prompted the declaration of a public health emergency.”
Multiple sporting events — including the upcoming Special Olympics bowling tournament and high school and middle school sports — have been put on hold until at least the end of the month.
Travel is also being restricted for students and government agencies and employers are being encouraged to promote working remotely if possible.
