The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
Knox County Health Confirms New Case Of E-Coli
The Tennessee Department of Human Services ordered the shut down of Kids Place Inc. Millertown Child Care Center on Tuesday night. State officials said the daycare remains closed as it is under investigation by the Knox County Health Department.
According to the health department, more than 10 cases of E. coli 0157 were reported, all among children, as of Thursday. Kids Place said only four cases came out of their daycare and none of the children had to be hospitalized.
The East Tennessee Children's Hospital has six patients under the age of four infected by E. coli. Four of the patients are in serious condition. One patient is in fair condition. A new patient was admitted Friday and is in good condition. According to ETCH, the patient admitted Friday is connected to possible E. coli exposure at Kids Place. Also on Friday, it was revealed that a Seattle-based law firm, Marler Clark, specializing in Food Safety Law was investigating the case.
"The safety of children at the Kids Place Inc. Millertown Child Care Center is our foremost concern," a representative for the Department of Human Services said. As far as what, if any charges would be filed, DHS said, "If there were to be any charges, they'd come from law enforcement. Our only action is ordering the child care facility closed until the health department's investigation clears the facility as safe."
The state said the center will not be allowed to reopen until the health department provides written documentation that the center is clear and free of E. coli or any other pathogen possibly present. WVLT called the daycare Thursday and an employee said they had only part of the daycare called the baby house closed. Then, someone believed to be the site director said they had no comment.