Some NC nursing homes have slowed, stopped spread of coronavirus

WRAL's Data Trackers have determined 18 percent of confirmed coronavirus cases in North Carolina are in long-term care facilities. With the addition of prisons and other group homes, infections in congregate living settings goes up to 24 percent of the state total.

Deaths in congregate living facilities make up 68 percent of all COVID-19 fatalities.

Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has seen 111 infections among residents and staff and 17 resident deaths in the pandemic. But the state Department of Health and Human Services hasn't reported any new cases or deaths there since late May.

Still, DHHS lists the outbreak – it's defined as two or more infections – as ongoing at Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation. An outbreak is considered over only if there is no evidence of continued transmission of the virus within a facility, according to the agency.

Relatives of residents say the center has done a good job controlling the virus' spread.

Nursing homes now face another challenge, she said, with many residents who haven’t seen family members for months dealing with depression.

Also, in the coming months, the facilities may have to deal with a second wave of infections.

Overall, more than 47,100 people statewide have been infected with the virus, but more than 29,200 have already recovered. More than 1,200 people have died statewide during the pandemic, and about 850 are hospitalized with COVID-19.