51 Test Positive For Coronavirus At Wilmington Nursing Home

WILMINGTON, RI — Plans to use a 142-bed nursing home in Wilmington as a coronavirus recovery center have been delayed after more than half of the residents tested positive for the virus. All of the 98 residents set to leave AdviniaCare were tested, and 51 people tested positive. None of these people had any symptoms, the facility's parent company said in a statement.

Chris Hannon, the COO of Pointe Group Care said the large number of asymptomatic residents "points to how insidious this virus is."

"To say we are surprised by the findings would be an understatement," Hannon said. "We are fighting an invisible enemy. We are ensuring that residents with the illness get the specialized care and support that they need."

All of the positive patients will be isolated and will receive specialized care, the statement continued. All staff will be tested, as well.

The company is working with the state's COVID-19 Response Command Center and Partners HealthCare throughout the planned transition.

"The testing protocol that was put in place at the facility prevented further spread of the disease," said Dr. Chuck Tsun-Zhi Pu, the medical director of Population Health at Partners HealthCare. "It makes clear the challenging clinical circumstances that we are all operating under, and the important role that testing plays in battling this pandemic."

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