The Montgomery County Nursing Home has reported that the total positive cases of COVID-19 among residents is up to 15. This brings their total cases up to 25.
MCNH Director Tommy Johnston contacted the Montgomery County News Friday to report that they had conducted a facility-wide series of tests of all residents which resulted in the discovery of the additional cases.
The Nursing Home originally reported 11 cases last week which included nine staff members and two residents. An additional staff member had tested positive by press time this Tuesday.
Johnston shared that the decision to test all 83 residents was made in an effort to completely control the virus and its spread in the nursing home.
“This is an insidious disease.” Johnston stated while discussing its effects on the Nursing Home and area in general.
The Nursing Home is following state and federal mandated guidelines in the containment and treatment of the cases discovered in the Nursing Home. Johnston stated that each of the infected residents’ family have been contacted and informed of their test results.
Montgomery County Nursing Home is one of 136 nursing home facilities in Arkansas to report positive cases.
No positive cases have been reported at the Assisted Living Center in Mount Ida.
Johnston asked for everyone to pray for the residents and staff members as they work to contain the virus to those who have tested positive.
A group of local residents have scheduled a prayer vigil for Sunday, August 30, from 1-2 p.m. at the Nursing Home. A Facebook event page can be found here https://www.facebook.com/events/309047003715107/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A%2229%22%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3A%22plan_user_invited%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D¬if_id=1598671831546733¬if_t=plan_user_invited&ref=notif
According to the Arkansas Department of Health website, Montgomery County was reporting 24 active cases Saturday, August 29. There are 76 total cases reported with 49 recovered and three deaths. None of the reported deaths are related to the cases at the Nursing Home. Montgomery County also reports 1,164 negative cases.
Governor Asa Hutchinson shared a graphic that reflected positivity rates over a 14 day rolling period. Montgomery County was in the Top 5 among counties with 21.9 percent. The positivity rate reflects the percentage of tests administered that are positive for COVID-19.