Big outbreak of coronavirus reported in Northeast Texas nursing home
A massive outbreak of coronavirus has been reported at a Paris, Texas nursing home over the weekend, according to Paris’ mayor.
The Paris-Lamar County Health District has received results that 41 of the positive cases in Paris are associated with Paris Healthcare Nursing Home, representing staff and residents, according to The Paris News.
Tests results were received on Saturday by officials.
“This requires all of the resources of the health department and the medical community in order to attempt to contain this outbreak,” Paris Mayor Steve Clifford posted Sunday night on Facebook.
Clifford canceled drive-through testing sites that were scheduled this week in Paris, which is about 135 miles northeast of Fort Worth.
“This virus has seemed distant to most people in our community. It was happening elsewhere, but we in Paris really had not had any significant problem with it,” the mayor posted. “We all figured that everything was overstated and overblown. Many decided that they didn’t even to wear masks. Now we know that many people who were infected with the virus and had no symptoms have been in numerous public places throughout our community.”
Clifford said many people in the city have been exposed.
“Everyone absolutely MUST wear a mask whenever in an enclosed public place such as a grocery store,” Clifford wrote Sunday night. “Everyone must practice social distancing. Everyone must wash their hands frequently. If everyone cooperates, it will make it easier for us to protect our community from this virus.”
Clifford wrote that while wearing masks is strongly recommended, it’s not required by city ordinance.
Early Saturday, the Paris-Lamar County Health District had reported 12 residents had tested positive for the virus. That number is more than 50 on Monday.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 7:21 AM.
