CORNELIUS, N.C. — North Carolina officials have reported that there have been nearly 70 outbreaks due to COVID-19 at nursing homes and long-term facilities.
There have been five outbreaks, including 64 cases and 11 deaths at Autumn Care facilities.
Ten residents have died at the Autumn Care in Cornelius.
“I never really thought that it would hit home and it hit home about 4 o'clock this morning,” Davidson resident Vince Huntley said.
His mother works at the Cornelius facility part-time where there have been 53 cases.
“When I found this out, that a family member works there, I sorta, kinda did take it personally,” Huntley said.
Autumn Care Outbreaks:
Autumn Care Cornelius
53 Cases, 10 Deaths
19530 Mt. Zion Parkway
Cornelius
Autumn Care Statesville
2 Cases
2001 Van Haven Drive
Statesville, NC 28625
Autumn Care Saluda
2 Cases
501 Esseola Drive
Saluda
Autumn Care Drexel
5 Cases, 1 Death
307 Oakland Avenue
Morganton
Autumn Care Marshville
2 Cases
311 West Phifer Road
Marshville
Channel 9 tried to contact someone with Autumn Care's parent company, Saber Health, and haven't heard back.
A message on its website outlined safety measures the company is taking to manage the outbreaks, including canceling events and limiting visitation.
This hit everybody like a tidal wave, man,” Huntley said. “I didn't know it was coming.”
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Huntley is worried about his mother and her co-workers.
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“It’s not only people like my mom, but it’s doctors, nurses, people on the front line who we should give a hand to,” he said. “We really should.”
North Carolina has at least 71 outbreaks in nursing homes and other group care facilities.
In those facilities, at least 1,700 people have gotten sick and at least 180 people have died.
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