COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Another assisted living facility in Georgia has a confirmed case of coronavirus.
Channel 2's Tom Regan was in Cobb County, where officials say two people at the Greenwood Place nursing home were tested for coronavirus last week. One patient came back positive for the virus. Four other residents who are showing symptoms are at the hospital for treatment.
This is the fifth long-term care facility in Georgia to report cases of coronavirus.
"Some of the things that keep me up at night is our hospital capacity," Memark said. "But I worry about nursing homes and long-term care facilities as well.'"
Dr. Janet Memark, the county's health director, said they're working with the facility to stem the spread.
Memark said they're advising assisted living facilities on how to protect residents and staff from infection. The measures include allowing only essential personnel into the buildings, disinfection, social distancing and protective gear for staff and residents.
"If you get one case there, being able to contain that case, and moving people around and quarantining them, is a big challenge for these facilities," Memark said. "They are not used to it."
Memark said there are community transmissions in Cobb County and it's unclear where they all are, so the county has to work to protect the most vulnerable.
For families who can only visit loved ones through the window of a room at assistant living homes, this is a heartbreaking time. But Memark said the alternative is far worse.
“If we allow a surge of critically ill to happen, we will outstrip our hospital resources,” Memark. “So there is a big danger in that.”