Health Department tracking cases at long-term care facilities

WEST CHESTER » The Chester County Health Department is now tracking coronavirus cases at licensed long-term care facilities and personal care homes in Chester and Delaware counties through a new web portal.

The new data can be accessed on Chester County’s COVID-19 web page, chesco.org/coronavirus.

“Given the congregate nature of long-term care facilities and personal care homes, and the fact that they serve older adults who often have underlying chronic medical conditions, they are at the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19.,” said Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Casner.

There are 75 licensed long-term care and personal care homes in Chester County, and 19 of those facilities have an outbreak of one or more cases. In Delaware County, three are 61 licensed long-term care facilities, and 37 of those have a coronavirus outbreak.

To date, 28 residents of licensed long-term care facilities in Chester County have died as a result of coronavirus, 17 of whom were male. In Delaware County, 68 residents of long-term care facilities have died.

Of those Chester County deaths, 14 were between the ages of 80 and 89 and nine between the ages of 90 and 99. There were no deaths of anyone under the age of 60. Of those Delaware County deaths, 20 were between the ages of 80 and 89 and 20 between the ages of 90 and 99.

“The data that we are publishing helps to give context to our overall case numbers and is a snapshot of the challenges that our longterm care facilities and personal care homes are facing,” Casner said. “Our definition of ‘outbreak’ begins with just one case in a congregate care setting, so the data we are reporting reflects that.”

Nursing home populations are at the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control. COVID-19 cases have now been reported in all 50 states and D.C.; with many areas having widespread community transmission. The CDC is urging all nursing home facilities to take immediate action to protect residents, families, and healthcare personnel.

One of the key roles of the Chester County Health Department as it relates to COVID-19 is the assistance to long-term care facilities and personal care homes in identifying cases, reviewing practices and managing the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to this support, many of the facilities have reached a point where staff, residents and families of residents also need emotional and mental health support.

“Staff of long-term care facilities and personal care homes are understandably feeling worn out and at times helpless,” said Casner. “Residents are fearful and families are not feeling as connected to their loved ones. All of this takes its toll, so we are also working with staff in our human services department, department of aging and department of mental health services, to provide holistic wellness support for everyone affected – staff, residents and families.”

In nursing and personal care homes in Pennsylvania, there are 5,026 resident cases of COVID-19, and 572 cases among employees, for a total of 5,598 at 396 distinct facilities in 38 counties, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Out of our total deaths,

796 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities.

Long-term care facilities and personal care homes are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health or Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The Chester County Health Department does not provide details of COVID-19 cases or deaths to specifically named-long term care facilities or personal care homes.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Jenner’s Pond resident James Chester communicates to his family through a window. Showing how much they care are, from left, his daughter Kady Wolfington, his granddaughter Madison Wolfington and his son-in-law Tom Schindler. Retirement communities like Jenner’s Pond, a Simpson Senior Services community, are taking precautions during the national crisis by limiting visitations.