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GRANTSVILLE -- Minnie Hamilton Health System Nursing Home is following protocols for positive cases after an employee who initially tested positive was retested and found negative for the virus, CEO Stephen Whited said.
Nursing home employees are tested every 10-12 days as a precaution, according to a letter from Whited.
The employee was tested on Aug. 5, which returned positive. The employee, who immediately went home, was tested a second time, which came back as negative, Whited said. Protocols for positive test results are still being followed.
"The employee will have another follow-up test 24 hours from the last test as required and will be on a leave from work for a minimum of 10 days per state guidance," he said. "All nursing home residents and its staff will be tested immediately, and all limited visitations have been suspended for the long-term care unit until it is declared safe to re-open for limited visitations."
Whited said he is waiting to hear whether it will be counted as a positive case. The employee is not from Calhoun County.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Whited has made an effort to keep the community informed of any important updates, including when he tested positive for the virus.
After he self-quarantined for the appropriate time and tested negative, White returned to work having not shown symptoms.
"Everybody is scared and anxious about the COVD -19 situation. Any time there's a potential outbreak or potential (threat) that affects others, we're trying to keep everybody educated as best as we can and keep the anxiety level down," Whited said.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.