A resident of the Cheney Care Center nursing home was hospitalized with COVID-19 this week.

The resident was transferred to the hospital Monday and the skilled nursing facility was notified of the resident’s positive test Wednesday, according to a letter sent to residents. The resident remained hospitalized in isolation Thursday.

Thirty people were hospitalized with COVID-19 countywide as of Thursday, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.

At least a few other Cheney Care Center residents had been hospitalized with illnesses recently but none had tested positive for COVID-19, according to center Executive Director Keith Fauerso. He said he did not know how many residents have been tested because only hospitals are testing them.

No other residents or employees are suspected to have COVID-19, according to Fauerso.

Four women who live in the Cheney Care Community assisted-living facility – not the Cheney Care Center nursing home – had been sewing masks for residents and staff at the campus, which also includes independent-living units. About 130 people live there overall.

The facility stopped allowing visitors on March 13 and employees are screened for illness before each shift, Fauerso said. Residents are being screened for illness at least twice a day.

Fauerso said no employees have come to work with symptoms, and four or five employees who have felt sick beforehand have stayed home. No employees have tested positive for COVID-19, but Fauerso did not know how many have been tested, he said.

“At this time, our focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and our employees. Staff are our key partners in keeping themselves and our residents healthy,” the letter from Fauerso said. “Please know that maintaining residents’ health, wellness and safety remains our No. 1 priority.”