COVID outbreak reported at Maggie Nursing and Rehabilitation

Press release from Haywood County Health and Human Services:

The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency has identified a COVID-19 outbreak at Maggie Nursing and Rehabilitation in Maggie Valley.

At the time of this release, there are five residents and three staff identified as COVID positive. 

Statement from Maggie Nursing and Rehabilitation:

The five residents are fully vaccinated and two of the employees are fully vaccinated,  We immediately began taking necessary steps to slow the spread of this virus in our facility. The identified employees were immediately isolated and the positive residents are isolating in our designated COVID unit with designated staff.  The facility is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized each day in accordance with EPA guidelines. Staff are required to wear mandatory masks and must submit to mandatory COVID testing  All residents are tested weekly at this time for COVID-19 and are being monitored for any signs or symptoms consistent with COVID-19.  At this time visitation is suspended until further notice and another round of COVID testing can be completed. The safety and well-being of our residents and staff remain our #1 priority. Throughout the pandemic, MVNR has followed directions from the CDC, CMS, and our local health department. We will continue to follow guidance from these agencies and appreciate the help of the Haywood County Health Department in navigating through this pandemic.  Our staff has worked tirelessly and diligently during this pandemic to provide quality and compassionate care and will continue to do so. I would like to commend them for all their hard work. 

Health and Human Services are assisting the facility with contact tracing and coordination efforts throughout this outbreak.

“The delta variant is now the dominant variant in our region and we know that it is much more highly contagious than previous variants of COVID. We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene, maintain a safe distance in large gatherings, and to wear masks indoors, and in settings where social distancing isn’t feasible. Be safe for yourself and for those around you,” said Sarah Henderson, director, Haywood County Public Health.

In a congregate living setting a COVID-19 outbreak is defined as two or more positive cases identified through a positive molecular (PCR) or positive antigen test result. An outbreak is considered over if there is no evidence of continued transmission within the facility. This is measured as 28 days after the latest date of onset in a symptomatic person or the first date of specimen collection from the most recent asymptomatic person, whichever is later.

Symptomatic individuals who test positive will be required to remain in isolation under the following conditions: 1) At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND, 2) At least 24 hours have passed since the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND 3) Symptoms (like cough and shortness of breath) have improved. Asymptomatic individuals who test positive will be required to remain in isolation under the following conditions: 1) At least 10 days have passed since their positive test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.

Additionally, Haywood County Public Health is working to identify any close contacts of employees. Haywood County defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more, without a mask, during the period in which they are contagious.  Based on the information provided by the employees, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed, quarantine, and/or testing.