4 employees, 1 resident test positive for virus at Elm Wood Center

By Jordan J. Phelan
[email protected]
CLAREMONT — Four Elm Wood Center employees and one resident have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to Genesis Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard Feifer.

In an email correspondence Tuesday, Genesis Healthcare officials confirmed the positive case count following a report submitted to the Eagle Times early Tuesday by someone affiliated with the assisted living facility that alleged that staff members had been tested and subsequently confirmed to have COVID-19.

“To date, Elm Wood Center has had one resident and four employees test positive for COVID-19,” Feifer said in a statement. “I can assure you that we are working round the clock to keep our patients and residents healthy and as safe as possible. We are doing everything in our power – and everything medical experts know as of this time – to protect our patients, residents and employees.”

Officials say they are implementing several strategies to limit the spread including “screening residents and patients for symptoms” three times a day, screening all personnel upon entering the facility and requiring all staff to wear personal protective equipment at all times in the facility.

The facility is not permitting visitors — except for exceptional circumstances such as end-of-life situations — but encourages loved ones to reach out to the center.

Elm Wood Center has continued to follow guidance provided by the New Hampshire Department of Health, as well as other health agencies in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus within the nursing home.

“As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began providing protocols and guidelines for the coronavirus, we have diligently followed them and in many cases, has gotten out in front of public health guidelines, adopting even more stringent infection precautions than were recommended at the time,” the statement reads.

No additional information about the four employees and one resident has been revealed at this time.

This article will continue to be updated when more information becomes available.