Data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows positive cases and fatalities have been identified at several Cy-Fair area nursing homes. One of those is Park Manor at Cy-Fair, where an outbreak led the Harris County Department of Public Health to open an investigation in late June.
The most recent data from the CMS, reported as of July 5, identified 69 confirmed cases at Park Manor along with 12 deaths that were caused by the virus. As of mid-July, facility staff was taking care of 44 residents with COVID-19, said Derek Prince, CEO of HMG Healthcare, the company that runs Park Manor of Cy-Fair.
Prince said the increase in positive cases can be attributed to community spread.
"HMG has been testing residents and employees since the beginning of May," Prince said in a statement. "Our testing results have helped us identify a recent increase in positive COVID cases at our Park Manor CyFair facility. High community transmission has a direct impact on our employees and residents."
Harris County has issued general guidance for nursing homes and other facilities with vulnerable populations, including the importance of limiting interactions, frequent cleaning and the use of personal protective equipment. An official with the Harris County Public Health said the department continues to monitor, assess and provide guidance to Park Manor of Cy-Fair.
"The facility has been very cooperative and providing information that is requested," the official said.
According to the CMS data, which is self-reported by each facility, three of the 12 COVID-19 deaths at Park Manor were confirmed in late May while nine were confirmed throughout June. No deaths were confirmed in the most recent update July 5.
HCPH has opened investigations at other nursing homes in the county, including in the Humble area.
Across Texas, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at nursing homes across Public Health Region 6/5S, which covers the Greater Houston area, has increased by 67% since the start of July, from 1,766 on July 1 to 2,949 on July 18. The number of COVID-19 fatalities has increased from 228 to 301 over that time.
Residents have tested positive at several other Cy-Fair area nursing homes, according to CMS. As of July 5, eight COVID-19 deaths had been confirmed at the Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility on West Road in Cy-Fair.
Community Impact Newspaper has reached out to Legend Oaks for comment and will update this article when information is available.
