36 Cases of COVID-19 in Haywood Facility
A long-term care facility in Haywood County is now reporting 36 cases of COVID-19, spread among residents and staff.
Lisa Leatherwood, administrator of Silver Bluff Village said that 85 staff members had been tested when Haywood County conducted a mass test back in April, and all tests came back negative. Further testing took place in May, and regular screenings thereafter, but the facility reported its first case July 13th.
Patrick Johnson, public health director for Haywood County, acknowledged how dangerous coronavirus can be in such settings as long term care facilities.
The facility, near Bethel, contains several different buildings including a skilled building, an assisted living building, and a multi-unit assisted housing unit. In total, there’s capacity for about 196 residents, all with varying degrees of independence.
Leatherwood said the facility did receive some funding from the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program, which was helpful in trying to keep staffing levels up.
Since the outbreak began at Silver Bluff, quarantine and isolation wings were established, and some staff members were assigned to care for people in them, to reduce the number of people coming in and out of the facility.