Special to Iredell Free News

The Iredell County Health Department has received notice of a COVID-19 outbreak at Maple Leaf Health Care, a long-term care facility in Statesville.

At this time, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services considers two or more cases in a long-term care facility to be an outbreak.

The facility has worked in conjunction with the Health Department to have all residents and employees tested for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure.

While health officials are still awaiting the results of all staff and residents, two former residents have tested positive.

The Health Department is working with this facility to conduct contact tracing to determine who else may have been exposed to COVID-19. The facility continues to implement strict visitor restrictions and infection control precautions to help prevent any further spread of COVID-19.

At this time, no other individuals at the facility have exhibited signs or symptoms associated with COVID-19. The skilled nursing staff at the long-term care facility are continuing to provide quality care to all residents, with resident and staff safety being the utmost priority.

The Health Department has been encouraging all long-term care facilities in Iredell County to follow Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines and State directives meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. A key part of these directives includes restricting visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel, as well as strictly adhering to infection prevention practices.

LEARN MORE

For more information related to COVID-19 cases across North Carolina in Congregate Living Settings from NCDHHS, visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/congregate-living-settings