CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a controversy over patient privacy and the public's right to know, Mecklenburg County has released the names and locations of seven Charlotte area long term care facilities battling coronavirus outbreaks.
Outbreaks, which are defined as two or more cases within a single facility, have been reported at:
- Hunter Woods Nursing & Rehab Center
- Huntersville Oaks
- Pavillion Health Center
- Autumn Care of Cornelius
- The Social at Cotswold
- Carrington Place Rehab & Living Center
- The Laurels
A resident at The Social at Cotswold senior living facility died of coronavirus, the facility's parent company announced Friday. This resident, who like other coronavirus patients is not publicly identified by name, is one of 24 people to died of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Mecklenburg County.
A total of 14 other residents and two caregivers at the facility have also tested positive for the virus, the company said. The assisted living facility said residents remain in isolation in their suites with in-room dining to ensure their safety.
"This is a profoundly difficult time for the community at The Social at Cotswold and today's global health situation makes this even more painful and poignant. We are all grieving the loss of our neighbor and friend," the statement aids.
The patient's death came amid a mystery regarding coronavirus outbreaks at senior living facilities, nursing homes and residential care facilities.
"We hope this new information will help everyone better understand how this virus is impacting our community and the importance of protecting the most vulnerable among us," Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris said Friday upon releasing the names of the seven facilities.
North Carolina state data Friday showed a total of 46 coronavirus outbreaks at such facilities. Even after Mecklenburg County's announcement, the names and locations of most of those facilities across the state are still not known.
Harris had previously said the cases didn't pose a threat to the greater community.
As recently as the day prior, WCNC Charlotte reported Harris and other officials still had no plans to release the names and locations. At the time, they were citing patient privacy.
67 confirmed COVID-19 cases at Five Oaks Rehabilitation in Concord is one of the other known facilities, according to the Cabarrus Health Alliance. It's one of the known outbreaks in North Carolina.
In Rowan County, health officials there is also an outbreak at Citadel Salisbury, a nursing home where 96 people including both patients and staff tested positive for COVID-19.
In response to their residential death, the parent company of The Social at Cotswold released a statement, which reads in part:
"Please know The Social at Cotswold team remains vigilant and focused on supporting residents and team members during this complicated time. We continue to gather new information and data every day, and we greatly appreciate the ongoing support and guidance from the Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC) and Mecklenburg County Health Department in strengthening steps to help protect the community. "
