Coronavirus outbreaks not slowing in area nursing homes

Three more residents died at Louisburg Nursing Center, bringing its total to five; two died at Mount Olive Center; and another resident died at Springbrook Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Clayton, bringing its total to seven.

They are among four facilities in central North Carolina with multiple deaths. PruittHealth's Carolina Point facility in Durham has reported four deaths.

"She was just full of life. She was the most lovable person you can ever imagine," said Kevin Gray Turner, Richards' great-grandson.

Richard had lived in the facility for several years and had other health issues, including dementia, Turner said.

He recalled that, when he was a child, his family had financial struggles and lived with Richards for a time.

"We actually moved in with my great-grandmother a few times and lived with her, and I have those memories," he said. "[Her death] is weighing on me."

New rules tighten requirements at assisted living facilities hit hard by coronavirus

A spokesperson for Pennsylvania-based Genesis HealthCare, which owns Mount Olive Center, said 21 residents at the facility and four staff members have tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Richard Feifer, chief medical officer for the facility, said 57 percent of residents who initially tested positive were not showing symptoms.

"By the time you have a positive test result, many may have already been exposed," Feifer said in a statement. "That is why we have been so stringent on visitation restrictions and a whole host of other precautions."

Mount Olive Center has followed guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the virus, he said, and in many cases, "gotten in front of them."

Genesis has posted signs outside the facility saying, "Thank you to our health care heroes who are getting us through this tough time. We couldn't do it without you."

"I can assure you that we are working around the clock to keep our patients and residents as health and safe as possible," Feifer said.

A Wayne County spokesman said the county health department has virus test kits available for any long-term care facility that needs them, but Mount Olive Center has been using private labs for testing and hasn't needed extra tests from the county.