Family Concerned About Cases At Nursing Home

WAAY 31's Megna Reyna speaks with one family on what they are, and aren't, being told in regard to coronavirus cases at a nursing home in Huntsville.

Breken terry are following back to school plans amid the pandemic.

But we begin with waay 31's megna reyna.

Live outside the brookshire healthcare center with how it's handling cases... and one family's worries about what they are - and aren't - being told.

Megan?

For a year and a half ruth gulley's mother has been here at brookshire health care center.

She said prior to the pandemic -- she had no problems at all with this center -- but now is concerned due to a lack of communication.

Gulley says:"when i heard 17, i was actually afraid she was one of them."

Ruth gulley is constantly thinking of her 88-year-old mother.

Worrying about her health -- and missing her presence.

Gulley says:"i haven't seen her since the 12 day of march."

And now -- she worries her mother could get coronavirus as she stays isolated in this nursing home.

Nats brookshire is now dealing with 17 cases of the virus.

It posted this update on its website friday... but gulley didn't know how case numbers increasing there until she heard about it from waay 31.

Gulley says:"they called me one week and said they had one there, and then the next week she called and said they had a total of three, and i did not know anything about the 17 until i saw it on waay news."

We reached out diversicare -- the company that runs brookshire.

It said in a statement -- it notifies residents and designated representatives of confirmed covid-19 positive cases -- and will give weekly updates.

But gulley was hoping for a phone call.

Gulley says:"i'm one that don't get on the internet all the time, and i do depend on them to call and let me know, but when i talked to one of the personnel today, she did tell me, if mother had it they would let me know."

Fortunately -- her mother is okay today.

And the facility said officials are working to ensure it follows c-d-c guidelines -- stating they have extensive policies in place and are working with the alabama department of health and public health officials."

Gulley says:"i'm afraid she will contract it, and i hope and pray she doesn't, we got our church praying to watch her and take care of her."

I also asked diversicare if any of these 17 residents are hospitalized -- but they did not disclose that information.

Reporting live in hsv mr waay 31 news.