GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — A nursing home in Gallatin now confirms that at least one patient and one employee have tested positive for Coronavirus and there potentially could be more.
The Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation And Healing on North Water Avenue late Thursday morning posted a statement on its Facebook pagealerting families, staff and the community that they "have identified positive tests for COVID-19 in our community." But they were not specific about who or how many have tested positive.
In a statement to NewsChannel 5 Investigates, the facility administrator, Dawn Cochran, said one resident had tested positive this week and is now being treated in a hospital.
The facility also posted on Facebook on Monday that a team member, or employee, had tested positive for COVID-19.
But multiple sources tell NewsChannel 5 Investigates now that anywhere from three to five employees have had positive test results and as many as a dozen other employees are now showing symptoms and now being tested.
Also concerning is that the facility now confirms that other patients and residents now are showing symptoms and are being isolated. The facility won't say how many people have been isolated at this point.
The Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing is a 200+ bed facility that is licensed as a nursing home. We are told that it provides skilled care, long term care and memory care.
The Center is owned by the CareRite company out of New Jersey. CareRite also owns 8 other facilities in Tennessee.
Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown said she has spoken with the facility and is aware of concerns and is assisting with coordinating support.
We contacted the Sumner County Health Department's Director, Hal Hendricks, Thursday morning, about the situation and he assured us that he would get right back to us with information. We are still waiting to hear back from him.
We also reached out to the Tennessee State Health Department to find out what they're doing to contain this. The state replied saying simply, "We are aware of the situation and our staff members are in touch with the facility."
Of course, the huge concern here is that the Gallatin Center is filled with people who doctors say are most at risk for catching and not recovering from Coronavirus.
The nation's first major outbreak began in a long-term care facility just outside Seattle. Dozens of residents and employees at the Life Care Center tested positive for the virus and at last count, more than three dozen had died.
Stay tuned for updates to this developing story.
