A resident at a Lowndes County rehab and nursing home has tested positive for coronavirus.

Orchard HealthCare Center in Hayneville announced Thursday that a resident who had recently been discharged to the hospital tested positive for COVID-19. Orchard said they were informed of the diagnosis on April 14 and are currently informing all residents, families and staff members.

According to the most recent Alabama Department of Public Health data, there are 24 confirmed cases in Lowndes County. With 80 people tested, less than 1% of the county population has been tested for the virus.

The Lowndes County diagnosis follows a rash of nursing and assisted living diagnoses across the state. Long-term care facilities are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus infections as their residents, elderly people often with pre-existing health conditions, are the most at-risk population for developing severe COVID-19 complications.

At least two Montgomery nursing homes have announced positive cases.

More:Five residents at Montgomery nursing home test positive for coronavirus

The Alabama Nursing Home Association in early April cautioned widespread delays and lack of coronavirus testing availability is putting nursing home residents at increased risks across the state.

More:Group says coronavirus testing delays put Alabama nursing home residents at risk

"From listening to our members, we've become aware that there is an enormous volume of COVID-19 tests outstanding — at least more than 1,000," said ANHA President Brandon Farmer in a statement. "Our member also report to us that they're having difficulty even obtaining tests. The long delays in receiving tests and test results puts the lives of our residents and employees at risk."

Farmer said nursing homes are currently considered a Priority 2 for COVID-19 testing by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which ANHA's national arm has asked to be elevated to Priority 1.

ANHA spokesperson John Matson said Thursday they've seen some improvement in correcting delays but not enough to keep up with demand.

"The bottom line is nursing home residents are still in the CDC’s Priority 2 for testing," Matson said. "We believe nursing home residents should be in Priority 1 because they are most vulnerable to COVID-19."

As 11:30 a.m. Thursday, 4,317 coronavirus cases had been confirmed in Alabama, with 129 reported deaths. More than 500 people have been hospitalized in the past month.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Melissa Brown at 334-240-0132 or mabrown@gannett.com.