Ardmore Outbreak

Confirmed deaths!

This morning -- 17 patients are dead at one tennessee nursing home -- after they contracted coronavirus!

80-percent of the patients at the elk river health and nursing center tested positive for the virus.

Now -- people with family members at that center are concerned for their loved ones.

Waay 31's ashley carter is live for us.

Ashley how are families dealing with the news?

One woman we spoke to told us the news about the outbreak came as a complete shock.

Now she's fearful for her family member living inside the facility.

More than 50 patients and 20 staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the end of september.

A center administrator told us the outbreak began when two staff members tested positive.

T hen it spread like wildfire from there.

One woman whose aunt is a patient there, but did not test positive, told us the center had been keeping them updated on the positive cases but monday was the first time they learned about the magnitude of the outbreak " she could be one of the next ones.

Since it's a small place and i understand that they might be short staffed of course with half of the staff being sick as well.

I'm sure that's the case."

Hicks said the center had been in constant communication about her aunts condition until about a week ago the centers administrator said they are checking the remaining 30 patients at the center every six hours for symptoms. live in madison co ashley c