County Coronavirus Update: 10 Nursing Homes with Cases, 6 Deaths

Montgomery County released a statement Thursday with an update on the spread of covid-19 in the County. At this time, there are six confirmed deaths due to the virus and multiple nursing homes have confirmed cases of covid-19.

Deaths reported Thursday by the Maryland Department of Health included two men in their 70s, one man in his 80s, and one man in his 40s, according to the statement. The first death in Montgomery County, a woman in her 40s who had underlying medical conditions, was announced Saturday, March 22. The second death, a man in his sixties who died at a local hospital Friday, March 27, was reported Wednesday.

According to the statement, multiple nursing homes have confirmed cases.

Currently, there are 10 nursing homes reporting cases of covid-19 among staff or residents:

• Althea Woodland in Silver Spring currently has one confirmed case of a staff member with covid-19
• The Angels Garden in Rockville currently has one confirmed case, a man in his 70s, whose death was one of four reported today
• Brighton Gardens in North Bethesda currently has one confirmed case of a staff member with covid-19 (previously reported on March 27)
• Brooke Grove in Sandy Spring currently has one confirmed case of a resident with covid-19
• Cadia Healthcare in Wheaton currently has one confirmed case of a resident with covid-19
• Fairland Center in Silver Spring currently has one confirmed case of a staff member with covid-19 (previously reported on March 27)
• Fox Chase Rehab and Nursing in Silver Spring currently has one confirmed case of a staff member with covid-19 (previously reported on March 27)
• Hebrew Home of Greater Washington in Rockville has one resident who tested positive for covid-19
• Maplewood Park Place in Bethesda currently has one confirmed case of a resident with covid-19
• Layhill Center in Silver Spring currently has three residents with confirmed cases and one staff member who tested positive

These nursing homes have enhanced infection control procedures, including physical separation of residents to lower risk of exposure, has instituted no new admissions, and no group gatherings or activities. Close contacts of the individuals who tested positive have been notified and advised to self-quarantine. Visitor restrictions have been in place for several weeks at nursing homes throughout the County.

According to the statement, a three-month-old baby boy tested positive for covid-19  The baby was diagnosed, treated, and released from a hospital outside the County.

County officials remind residents that patient privacy laws prevent health officials from sharing individual case information.  Public health officials will alert residents if they identify a cluster of cases in a geographic region of the County and they will also be notified if there is possible exposure to members of the general public. As part of a positive case investigation, public health officials talk with close contacts of an infected person, then notify those at risk for exposure and provide guidance about actions they should take.

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