NEW ALBANY, Ind. — The Floyd County Health Department announced that one transitional care community has had more than 50 positive COVID-19 tests.
Providence, a Diversicare transitional care community on Charlestown Road, has tested all consenting patients, finding more than 50 positive tests. The FCHD said not all tests are people who are currently asymptomatic.
The first cases were reported over three weeks ago. Thirteen staff members have tested positive. At this time, five deaths have been connected to the outbreak.
The health department provided a statement saying in part:
"The health department has been providing additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as in-service training to promote effective use of the PPE."
Patients have been moved into areas to help care for all positive patients. Staff will be screened before their shifts start. Providence will not take new patients for at least the next seven days.
We reached out to Providence for a comment and they provided us with a statement saying in part:
"They have been in touch with loved ones of all those who have been impacted and will continue to do so on a regular basis...we are doing everything we can to ensure we stop the spread of this within our center and our community. Our infection control procedures are in compliance with the CDC and the Indiana dept of health guidance."
Providence has stopped allowing visitors, is now screening staff before their shift starts, and keeping patients in their rooms to avoid the spread of the disease.
The FCHD said both their department and the Indiana State Department of Health have continued to work with Providence and will continue to provide training and personal protective equipment.
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