EATON — Preble County Public Health announced Saturday, Aug. 8, officials are investigating a COVID-19 outbreak at the Greenbriar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Eaton.

According to the public information release, 15 residents have tested positive and are asymptomatic while two employees have tested positive as well.

The COVID-19 diagnosis for the 17 positives was done through the (RT)-PCR test as opposed to the rapid antigen test.

The release goes on to explain that, “PCR or more precisely (RT)-PCR is a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid (RNA) from SARS- CoV-2 in upper and lower respiratory specimens (such as nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs) collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider, as well as upper respiratory specimens collected from any individual, including from individuals without symptoms or other reasons to suspect COVID-19 infection.”

The residents at Greenbriar were tested following the positive diagnosis of two employees. Public Health said in the release that the investigation will continue via contact tracing and further testing.

“Long-term care facilities continue to be an area of focus for Public Health response due to the vulnerable age range of residents as well as the high rate of infection identified at these facilities throughout the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release read.

The full release as well as additional information can be found online at preblecountyhealth.org/coronavirus.