Updated on May 1 at 11:58 a.m. with information regarding the outbreak at White Oak of Burlington, a long-term care facility.
Elon University's Schar Center parking lot will host the Alamance County Health Department on May 1 as they collect samples from long-term care facility workers to test for the coronavirus.
On May 1 the Alamance County Health Department in a press release identified an outbreak at the White Oak of Burlington, a long-term care facility. In the same release, the county said they had collected specimen from 120 residents at the facility and 12 had come back positive. The release also noted that two workers at the facility had tested positive.
According to Owen Covington, director of Elon University News Bureau, the collection is for high-risk, high-priority individuals who work at long-term care facilities and it will not involve Elon students, faculty or staff.
This testing is not open to the public and university facilities will be closed according to a press release from the health department. The health department told Elon News Network in an email that there are two long-term care facilities participating in testing on May 1. This is being done to meet the needs of increased testing and was being planned earlier in the week. The health department said the facilities participating have a combined staff of 250 people, and that there are enough tests for everyone.
Covington said Elon Athletics staff who normally work in Schar Center have been asked to work from home during the collection. However, if athletics staff is unable to do so masks and gloves will be provided for those who must access their office.
As of May 1, there have been 116 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Alamance County. 62 cases are currently active, with two deaths recorded.