A resident at Lambeth House, a retirement home in Uptown New Orleans, has tested presumptive positive for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, according to WWL-TV.

A spokesman for the retirement center confirmed to the TV station that the 84-year-old man was taken to a hospital on Friday for pneumonia-type symptoms.

The resident tested presumptively positive for the virus, the spokesman said. Residents were informed Wednesday morning.

Lambeth House has restricted non-essential visitors, restricted off-site travel and taken other steps in response to the diagnosis.

"While CDC guidance still allows residents to exit the Lambeth House property, residents are strongly advised against doing so," Lambeth House CEO Scott Crabtree said in a statement. "Those residents who do choose to leave the property will be subject to health screenings upon returning to Lambeth House."

Health officials say the novel coronavirus presents a special danger to the elderly. A large cluster of infections tied to a nursing home in suburban Seattle has already claimed at least 19 lives.

It was unclear on Wednesday whether the Lambeth House resident is one of the six cases in Louisiana that the state confirmed on Tuesday night.

If you are a resident or employee of a local retirement home affected by the novel coronavirus, or you know someone who is, you can reach reporter Matt Sledge by calling 504-636-7432 or emailing msledge@theadvocate.com.