Waterford — Two nursing homes here have a total of 28 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, representing 70 percent of the number of cases in town.

First Selectman Robert Brule posted on Facebook Saturday that the Ledge Light Health District reported the number of confirmed cases in Waterford was 40, but that 28 of them were in longterm care facilities.

Gov. Ned Lamont released figures indicating the positive nursing home cases in Waterford are at Bayview Health Care, which has 127 beds at 301 Rope Ferry Road, and New London Sub-Acute Nursing, formerly known as New London Rehabilitation and Care, which has 120 beds at 88 Clark Lane. Nursing homes fall under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Public Health, which is expected to release figures by today detailing the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths at each nursing home in the state.

Meanwhile, the state is working on a plan to establish COVID-19 recovery homes for nursing home patients. On Saturday, Lamont issued an executive order establishing Sharon Healthcare Center in Sharon and Northbridge Healthcare Center in Bridgeport as nursing home recovery sites. Both of those facilities are owned by Athena Health Care Systems, which also owns Bayview. In addition, Athena announced last week that it is in the process of cleaning and readying facilities in Torrington and Meriden that previously operated as skilled nursing centers to accept COVID-19 patients once the facilities pass health inspections.

"People who live in nursing homes are among the most vulnerable, and this plan is needed in order to protect those who are negative for the virus while providing adequate areas of recovery for those who have tested positive and can be discharged from hospitals," Lamont said in a press release Saturday. "We are grateful for the nursing homes that are partnering with us in this critical effort — their staff is providing an invaluable service to the people of our state and we cannot thank them enough."

Family members of Bayview residents said last week that during a Zoom video meeting, a facility administrator told them Bayview would not be reporting the number of confirmed cases or deaths during the meetings. Timothy Brown, spokesman Athena Health Care systems, said by phone Monday morning that designated family members would be notified.

"Any time any resident has a change of condition that's directly related, the family would be notified," Brown said.

He said also that as of Monday morning, there was no shortage of staff members at the facility and no shortage of Personal Protective Equipment. Staff members said they were issued masks, gowns and face shields after the first case was confirmed at Bayview.

"We would love to have more and make sure we have an ample supply," Brown said. "We're working with the state and with vendors."

Stephen Mansfield, director of public health at the Ledge Light Health District, which serves as the local health department for Waterford, East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, Lyme, New London, North Stonington, Old Lyme and Stonington, said the department is setting up a mass dispensary clinic to provide personal protective equipment from the state Department of Public Health. Mohegan Sun has been designated as one of five locations statewide where PPE will be distributed.

First Selectman Brule said in in his Facebook post, "I am confident the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health is committed to the care of long-term care facility residents, their families and employees. Residents of long-term care facilities in Waterford represent our most vulnerable population during this pandemic, as the virus can spread quickly within the enclosed environment such as a nursing home. Staff are also vulnerable and need enough supplies of personal protective equipment to prevent them from falling ill. I have been assured that the state (Department of Public Health) is committed to doing everything it can to make sure our nursing home residents get the care they need and that nursing home staff are protected."

In addition to Bayview and the New London Sub-Acute nursing facility in Waterford, a New London nursing home, Harbor Village, has reported a confirmed case of the virus.

k.florin@theday.com