Washington Nursing Center moving patients to other facilities to prepare for COVID-19 patients

Hazel Rodimel | Times Herald Moving trucks were at Washington Nursing Center on Saturday.

Washington Nursing Center has begun preparations to move patients to other facilities to prepare for COVID-19 patients being transferred in to the local facility.

Washington mayor Dave Rhoads and others are working to stop the transfers.

"In regards to the situation at WNC, I just want everyone to know that we are working closely with the Health Department, judges, lawyers, Daviess Community Hospital, state officials, Good Samaritan and Dr. Holsopple to prevent this from happening," the mayor wrote.

The Times Herald had reached out to Chosen Healthcare, the parent company for Washington Nursing Center, but no specific details have been released yet.

Here's what we know so far:

• Moving trucks were at the 140-bed facility Saturday.
• Families of residents saw posts on social media about the facility moving patients to other facilities owned by Chosen Healthcare.
• The nursing home had not contacted families prior to activity taking place at the facility located on Business 50.
• An employee of the Washington facility said in a social media post Saturday that the facility would be, "strictly for COVID-19 patients."

Chosen Healthcare owns facilities in Indianapolis, Albion, Greenfield, Hanover, Lebanon, New Albany, Knox, Bloomington, Cloverdale, Fowler and Evansville. Willow Manor in Vincennes is also part of Chosen Healthcare.

This story will be updated.