COVID-19 Outbreak At NC Nursing Home Kills Woman; Staff Says 'They Aren't Treated Right'

KEY POINTS

At least 86 others, including 72 residents, tested positive for the virus at the center
An employee said the infection has been going on at the home for almost a month
He blamed the nursing home for not doing enough to limit the spread of the virus

The COVID-19 outbreak at a North Carolina nursing home has claimed the life of an 86-year-old resident.

Barzora Hill tested positive at the Carolina Rehab Center of Cumberland County, Fayetteville, and died right before Christmas on Dec. 20 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, reported NBC-affiliated WRAL.

Besides Barzora, 86 others connected to the center, including 72 residents, have also tested positive for COVID-19. Another person too died of the virus, data from the state Department of Health and Human Services showed.

The report, quoting an unnamed employee, said the nursing home has not been doing enough to limit the spread of the virus.

"These are these people's homes. And, I am going to let you know that they aren't being treated right," the anonymous source told WRAL. He is reportedly one among the 14 staff who got infected and is currently recovering.

He said the poor conditions inside the center have made it easy for the virus to spread and that the infection has been going on "for about a month."

"It's really bad. They are just changing rooms, putting positives with negatives. Just moving people all around," the man said, adding that the facility is not "deeply cleaned or sanitized."

De'Vonn Hill, the grandson of Barzora, said the nursing home was "understaffed." He alleged the facility did not inform him what was happening and asked him to visit Barzora at his own risk.

The rehab center authorities did not respond to WRAL's queries.

Local media outlets reported the outbreak at the 136-bed facility two weeks ago. Though only 72 cases were initially reported, the number rose gradually over the next few days.

Jennifer Green, director of Cumberland County Health Department, had then told The Fayetteville Observer that her office would work with any facility that report an outbreak.

In another incident, a nursing home in Denver had to call 911 on Christmas Day due to a staff shortage. The Autumn Heights Care Center at 3131 S Federal Blvd struggled with staff shortage before seeking the help of paramedics. The nursing home reportedly had just one nurse for 50 patients. However, there was no official confirmation from the Denver Department of Health and Environment.