Since the outbreak was first reported last week, there now 20 residents and seven staff who have tested positive for the virus.
Spread of covid-19.
After an isolating spring and summer -- restrictions were lifted -- to bring hope and joy back to those nursing homes.
But now -- should they be shut up tight -- once more?
As 44news reporter valerie lyons explains -- it's a concern for many tri- state families.
As coronavirus numbers continue to rise across the tris- state -- some communities are facing new threats.
For months -- posey county made it through the pandemic without a single case at a long term care facility.
But on september 29 -- "we did have our first case with a fairly significant outbreak in mount vernon."
At that time -- the posey county health department confirmed -- 10 residents and 5 staff at mt.
Vernon nursing and rehabilitation center -- had covid-19.
(kyle rapp) "we believe unfortunately with the case in mount vernon it was an employee who unknowingly came down with it and therefore brought it to the facility.
By the time they had had symptoms, got tested, there had already been an exposure there."
Since the outbreak was first reported last week -- there are now 20 residents and 7 staff members who have tested positive for the virus.
One former employee at the facility says she was shocked when she heard the numbers -- "that's sad, that' people coming in and giving it or the workers bring it in to it because the patients do not get out.
At 75 -- she knows all to well --- the risk is high for the elderly -- and believes the recent lift on visitation restrictions -- should be scaled back.
(marilyn axton) "you just have to stay away from the elderly.
When my daughter was exposed to it she wouldn't even come home to me he say "momma i'm not going to take that chance in giving it to you'."
While the health department does not believe the spike is tied to the county's current outside visitation policy -- as temperatures drop -- and cases rise -- those facilities might have to close their doors once again.
(kyle rapp) "when it gets colder and we get into winter, that's not really going to be feasible to ask our residents to go outside for visitations, if the increase continues then we would have to consider how we would allow visitations inside, if they are in fact continued to be
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