MATHEWS, N.C. — The Royal Park of Matthews is the latest local nursing home dealing with an outbreak -- with more than 40 cases reported within its walls.
State health officials announced Tuesday that 37 residents and 7 staff members have tested positive with more results pending.
>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
In a statement, facility administration said it is doing everything it can to contain the virus -- but employees who didn’t want to be identified told Channel 9 they don’t agree.
One employee said the workers who actually take care of the residents are getting about $1 an hour extra in pay, but it’s not enough for the risk they are taking.
Management told Channel 9 that the outbreak spiraled out of control after two staff members tested positive on May 16. The next day, they said one of their residents tested positive and at that point they had everyone tested. Results started coming in and as of Tuesday there are more than 40 positive cases connected to the facility.
Family members said news about the outbreak came as a shock to them.
Melanie Sprague’s father is a resident at the nursing home. She told us the first time she heard about the outbreak was last week and on Saturday she learned that her father has the virus too.
“He’s very weak ... it sounds like he’s very depressed,” she said. “I can’t get in to see my dad. My sister can’t get in to see my dad, and it’s really hard, because there’s nobody to protect them.”
Royal Park administration told Channel 9 that all employees are screened as they come in and out of the facility, and that they’re wearing masks, gowns, gloves and goggles, but somehow the virus still caught fire and spread.
Mecklenburg County leads the state with 18 outbreaks in long-term care facilities and nursing home.
>> We’ll bring you LIVE updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Get extended coverage on the free WSOC Now app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/05-15-2020/t_57ae4489cf624dc4b620f66b3ef5cdc7_name_TT_SALS_COVID_SURVIVOR_COMES_HOME_CMGLLPKG_191133.jpg)
© 2020 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SNIY2Q6TBJEL7MXONCB7XKGJ4E.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/INIPJDENXRDZJDZJH25FT7D76U.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/DV3D5PBQIZFEPANBGDDAZHIA5I.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/SWNKG6TR5ZDIFJHRE3MIO7Y6QE.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/OBPP3HBCXJHCDJ6HV5R5PIBZOQ.jpeg)