Health officials announced on Sunday that an additional 51 individuals at The Laurels of Chatham nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19.

Six people associated with the facility tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the week. The senior care facility previously said it had “been a source of numerous positive cases of coronavirus in the county.”

This brings the total number of people at The Laurels of Chatham who have tested positive for coronavirus to 57, although not all of them are Chatham County residents. Data from North Carolina Health and Human Services’ website indicates that Chatham County is reported 63 total cases across the county.

“We anticipated that universal testing at the facility would reveal more positive cases, and we remain concerned for the staff, residents and their families affected by this outbreak,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Layton Long. “While COVID-19 is highly infectious, especially in congregate living facilities, we remain focused on limiting the spread of the virus. We will continue to work closely with The Laurels of Chatham to do everything possible to contain this outbreak.”

The Laurels of Chatham has notified staff, residents and their families of any positive results.

In neighboring Orange County, more than 100 coronavirus cases and four deaths have originated from nursing facilities.

Photo via The Laurels of Chatham.

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