Two residents of a Mount Airy nursing home have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and more than 60 other residents are awaiting test results, according to a county health department news release.
The residents with COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, are women in their 50s at Pleasant View Nursing Home, in Carroll County, the Friday night release reads. They have been hospitalized.
All residents and staff with symptoms have been tested and the staff with symptoms are isolating at home, according to Maggie Kunz, spokesperson for Carroll County Health Department. Residents with symptoms are being isolated at the nursing home, Kunz said.
There have been 14 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Carroll County, including these cases, Kunz said the evening of March 27.
Nursing homes are considered high-risk locations for the coronavirus, which is generally more dangerous for older adults and people with existing health problems. In Washington state, where as of Friday night 175 people had died from the coronavirus, at least 37 of those deaths have been linked to one nursing home, according to the Associated Press.
Rebecca Travels, administrator of the nursing home, said one woman was tested last week at Carroll Hospital and one was tested a few days ago at the nursing home, likely Wednesday when they gained the ability to collect samples themselves.
