This nursing home leads Horry with the most COVID-19 cases. Here’s how it’s handling it
As most of Horry County’s nursing home facilities are reporting single cases of COVID-19, a Loris center has logged at least 38 patient cases, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Loris Rehab & Nursing Center, operated by Wilson Senior Care, appears to have more cases than any other nursing facility in Horry County based on DHEC’s online data, which is updated twice weekly.
Dianne Dennis, spokesperson for WSC, said it is difficult to stop the virus when it enters a nursing home, but the facility has ceased group activities, is screening employees, not allowing visitors and having residents quarantine in their rooms. Dennis added the facility is equipped with proper personal protective equipment.
“We will continue doing everything we can to prevent the spread of this virus within our facility,” she said.
“Most of our skilled nursing centers have remained free of any confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, the highly contagious nature of this virus has made total containment a virtual impossibility.”
Cases across Horry County increased by 78 between May 18-24, the highest amount of cases announced in a single week since the virus was first confirmed in the county mid-March.
The facility finished universal testing May 18, and there was in increase in cases due to the testing, Dennis said.
Though DHEC reports the facility has had 38 patient COVID-19 cases, seven staff cases and three patient deaths, WSC’s online dashboard shows 41 patients have been tested positive, 17 employees have tested positive and five in-hospital deaths as of Thursday morning.
The dashboard also shows eight residents and two employees are under investigation.
A total of 12 residents have been admitted to the hospital and four are currently in the hospital, the dashboard shows.
Residents are able to communicate with their families and friends through video calls and visits through windows with an intercom system.
Loris Rehab & Nursing Center has a “much above average” score overall and on health inspections, according to Medicare’s online nursing home data.
Other facilities in Horry County with coronavirus cases include Brightwater Skilled Nursing Center and Myrtle Beach Manor. Both facilities have had one resident and one staff member to test positive for the virus.
