Killion calls for testing of nursing home residents and staff
As congregate care facilities bear the brunt of COVID-19, state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, is calling for all residents and staff of such facilities to be tested for the virus responsible for the global pandemic.
“Our nursing homes and personal care homes have clearly become the epicenter of deaths related to the virus,” Killion wrote in a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine in advocating for such testing to take place. “The number of lives lost in these facilities has been nothing less than horrific.”
Here in Delaware County, as of Saturday, 192 deaths of the 255 deaths related to coronavirus have occurred in long-term care or personal-care facilities, according to the state Department of Health. Also based on their statistics, 43 of Delaware County’s 62 long-term care facilities have positive coronavirus cases.
Of the county’s 4,053 positive cases, 894 are residents of long-term care facilities and 129 are attributed to employees.
Statewide, 8,827 residents and 1,148 employees in 478 long-term care facilities have tested positive. Of all of Pennsylvania’s 2,418 deaths linked to COVID-19, 1,614 have been in long-term care facilities.
In his letter, Killion wrote that less than 2 percent of residents living in these homes have been tested, according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Association,
the trade association representing the owners and operators of the state’s congregate care facilities.
“The fact that so few residents have been tested is shocking considering how much the data illustrates the disproportionately deadly nature of the virus for residents in these facilities,” the senator wrote.
He implored the governor to intervene.
“As COVID-19 continues its deadly proliferation in our nursing and personal care homes, I ask the administration to immediately ensure the testing of all residents and workers in these facilities,” Killion wrote. “It is clear that this testing is urgently needed and long overdue.”
Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the PHCA, called on the governor to establish a Long-Term Care Ambassador to focus solely on Pennsylvania’s nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living residents.
“Residents in longterm care facilities are contracting the virus and falling ill at an alarming rate,” he said, describing these facilities as “ground zero for COVID-19 cases and fatalities.” “Front line staff are either testing positive – or not being tested at all. The number of positive cases and deaths in facilities has multiplied in recent days.”
He said what’s needed is critical emergency funding for providers, prioritizing supplies of personal protective equipment for workers, addressing staffing shortages, protecting residents and granting civil immunity to the long-term care continuum.
“We have asked for help daily,” Shamberg said. “Now, more than ever, long-term care providers, workers and residents need to know they’re supported. Gov. Wolf: please appoint a leader who can help us mitigate and contain COVID-19.”
While acknowleding a lack of adequate testing, Killion said testing needs to be prioritized for those in these facilities.
“The data is chilling,” he said. “We must prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable. In the case of COVID-19, it’s inarguable that our seniors, and particularly residents of nursing and personal care homes are at a grave risk. Comprehensive testing is the first step in protecting them.”
In Pennsylvania, there are an estimated 700 nursing homes with more than 88,000 beds and more than 1,200 licensed personal care homes serving 46,500 residents.
In his letter, Killion wrote that less than 2 percent of residents living in these homes have been tested, according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, the trade association representing the owners and operators of the state’s congregate care facilities.