The state Department of Public Health announced Monday the appointment of a temporary manager to take over operations at the Three Rivers Healthcare nursing home in Norwich, site of a COVID-19 outbreak in which four of the home's residents have died.

It is the latest enforcement action the DPH has taken since launching an investigation of the outbreak. Three Rivers has agreed to voluntarily accept the temporary manager, the first one the DPH has appointed for a nursing home since 2006.

The manager will be responsible for operations of the facility and, pursuant to federal and state regulations, will have authority over all hiring and personnel decisions, procedures, and fiscal and budgetary matters in an effort to correct operational deficiencies found in the initial DPH report released Aug. 31.

Since July 24, at least 21 residents and six staff at Three Rivers have become infected with COVID-19, and four of the infected residents have died.

“Appointing a temporary manager is a rare and serious step that is unfortunately warranted under the current circumstances in order to keep the residents and staff at Three Rivers nursing home safe,” said Dr. Deidre Gifford, acting DPH commissioner. “This is part of ongoing accountability for Three Rivers, and we appreciate their cooperation.

"Our aim is to make sure Three Rivers improves its practices in a sustainable way so we never see a widespread, preventable outbreak of COVID-19 or any other virus," said said. "Connecticut nursing homes must do everything they can to keep residents and staff safe.”

On Aug. 31, DPH issued a statement of deficiency for Three Rivers, finding the COVID-19 outbreak began when a staff member tested positive through routine weekly testing. Serious violations were found in general infection control practices, staffing, cohorting (grouping together) residents who tested positive, and use of personal protective equipment, or PPE.

DPH began investigating Aug. 17, making a series of on-site visits, reviewing facility records, and interviewing multiple residents and staff.

DPH issued a finding of immediate jeopardy, meaning the violations were serious enough to risk imminent harm to life. In addition to these findings of violation of federal standards, DPH is investigating whether state regulations, laws or executive orders were violated by the facility. DPH personnel have remained on site to monitor the situation.

The temporary manager will conduct a thorough review of infection control, staffing and management practices at Three Rivers and will submit an assessment to DPH within two weeks. DPH said it expects to take more enforcement actions against Three Rivers.

The agency also is investigating a related COVID-19 outbreak at Backus Hospital in Norwich, where nine staff tested positive for the disease after the hospital treated an infected patient from Three Rivers.