The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has ordered the evacuation of 69 residents from Greentree Manor, a skilled nursing facility in Waterford. DPH officials were on site throughout the night to ensure the safe transfer of the residents which was completed early Friday morning. “On Thursday, we learned that the facility began renovations to its South Center and North Center Nursing Units without notifying DPH in advance as required by state regulation,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “DPH has determined that the condition of both units poses an imminent danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents there, and all work has been halted.” The North Center Nursing Unit, South Center Nursing Unit, and the South Shore Nursing Unit had flooring removed which was not tested for asbestos prior to removal. The North Star Unit remained intact pending asbestos testing following a DPH onsite inspection. DPH officials stress that the Environmental Protection Agency requires facility owners or operators to inspect facilities for asbestos in advance of renovations. Contractors must not start any renovations where asbestos is present and may be disturbed by the renovation without providing an asbestos abatement notification to DPH.
