State intervenes at Gallatin nursing home where more than 90 test positive
Gov. Bill Lee’s COVID-19 Unified Command announced it took action to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak affecting dozens of patients and staff at the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Middle Tennessee.
Nearly 60 residents and more than 30 staff tested positive for the disease.
“Unified Command has worked in partnership with the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing and local partners in testing residents, transporting the sick and further evaluating those at risk,” said Unified Command Director Stuart McWhorter. “This situation has escalated quickly and we urge nursing homes and assisted care facilities to reach out to us as soon as cases are identified within their populations.”
Stuart McWhorter
The Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing will undergo further investigation and is believed to have followed proper protocols.
On Friday, March 27, the state of Tennessee, through the Unified Command of TDH, Military, and TEMA, worked with the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing to transport 23 residents to Sumner Regional Medical Center.
The state mobilized to arrange the transport of the residents through an ambulance strike team of EMS professionals from Sumner, Cheatham and Dickson counties, First Call, and MedicOne.
More than 20 National Guard personnel onsite assisted Gallatin Center with COVID-19 testing for all residents and staff on Saturday, March 28. Residents exhibiting symptoms were isolated pending results.
Further guidance was issued to all nursing homes and assisted care facilities across the state, outlining reporting expectations and best practices.
Results were returned Sunday, March 29, with 59 additional residents testing positive for COVID-19. These residents are now being transported to Sumner Regional Medical Center for care.
Thirty-three members of the Gallatin Center staff have tested positive and are now isolated at home. The state is facilitating deep cleaning and disinfecting of the facility and providing supplemental support for residents who currently do not have COVID-19.
Unified Command is a joint operation between the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Military and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
On Sunday, March 22, Lee signed an executive order restricting outside visitors to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
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COVID-19 coronavirusSam Stockard
Sam Stockard is a Nashville-based reporter with more than 30 years of journalism experience as a writer, editor and columnist covering the state Legislature and Tennessee politics for The Daily Memphian.
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