Employee concerned about nursing home’s transparency on COVID-19 results

CHARLOTTE — Anonymous employees at Charlotte Health and Rehabilitation Center said as positive COVID-19 cases are getting worse at the facility, the are concerned with transparency surrounding the results.

“We’re being tested twice a week so that part is no concern,” said an employee, who did not want to be identified. “The concern is where you have certain managers or SDC trying to hide your results from you.”

The employee said case counts are the highest its been since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Before, they would tell us, ‘Hey you’re negative. You’re good,’” the employee said. “Now, they’re not even telling us. We’re going up there, ‘Hey, am I negative? Am I positive? What am I?’”

The state database, which tracks outbreaks in congregate living settings, shows two staff cases and nine resident cases at the Charlotte center.

Officials at the facility told Channel 9 that 23 patients and 10 staff members tested positive.

An administrator said they’ve been aggressive about putting preventative measures in place to limit exposure among patients and staff.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the pandemic -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

The anonymous employee had a different take, however.

“As for one of my coworkers, she tried to ask for results,” the employee said. “They didn’t want to tell her, and they finally told her she was positive. And it took them a while for them to tell her (the) results. They also didn’t want to let her leave. That’s my main concern. They’re still trying to have employees work while being positive. That still can spread to ones who don’t have it.”

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the pandemic -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Statement from Charlotte Health and Rehabilitation Center:

“We follow all testing guidance as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

“We have rapid testing capabilities in our building and also a contract with an outside testing laboratory. We communicate staff test results promptly upon receipt along with guidance for appropriate quarantining.”