5 people in a Concord nursing home have died from COVID-19, health officials say
Five people at a skilled nursing and rehab center in Concord have died amid a coronavirus outbreak, according to the Cabarrus County public health authority.
The average age of the five people was 88, according to Cabarrus County officials. The county had previously identified an outbreak at Five Oaks Rehabilitation.
Following CDC recommendations, all members and employees of the congregate living facility were tested, according to county health officials. Out of more than 300 tests, 74 returned as positive — including five staff members who do not live in Cabarrus County.
“Our team is deeply saddened by these deaths and send our sincerest sympathies to their families and loved ones,” Cabarrus Public Health Director Bonnie Coyle said in a statement Monday.
“Unfortunately, this is an illustration of the impact this virus has on our most vulnerable population, our seniors. Even with stringent mitigation measures in place, the spread of this very contagious virus is hard to stop in congregant living facilities.”
As of Monday, Cabarrus County has 218 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, seven deaths and 82 recoveries.
The county’s health department recommends those who have had recent contact with Five Oaks Rehabilitation to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and call their primary care provider if they become symptomatic.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 5:32 PM.
