COVID-19 outbreaks reported at Boy Scout camp, nursing home in NC county

Health officials in a western North Carolina county on Friday reported three COVID-19 outbreaks in two nursing homes and a Boy Scout camp.

The outbreaks were reported at Spicewood Cottages, the Haywood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and at Camp Daniel Boone, according to Haywood County Public Health.

The North Carolina country first saw a spike in cases on July 13 with 13 new reported cases.

“For the first time in weeks, we are starting to see case numbers inch back up again,” Haywood County Public Health Director Sarah Henderson said in a press release. “This can be attributed to rising numbers statewide and localized outbreaks that are being monitored.”

Three days later, the two nursing homes and the Boy Scout camp reported outbreaks in their facilities.

At Camp Daniel Boone, three out-of-state campers tested positive for the virus. Spicewood Cottages reported that eight residents and three staff tested positive for COVID-19 while the Haywood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center reported two positive cases.

Health officials are helping the facilities with contact tracing and “coordination efforts.”

Haywood County officials continue to encourage citizens to get vaccinated as most cases were among unvaccinated people.