Centre County coroner reports 15 new COVID-19 deaths; most were long-term care residents
A daily average of more than one death attributed to the coronavirus has been confirmed in November by the Centre County Coroner’s Office.
County Coroner Scott Sayers announced Wednesday 15 additional deaths attributed to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 48, ranging in age from 62 to 104. Nearly two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths confirmed by Sayers’ office have been reported in November.
Fourteen of the 15 deaths announced Wednesday were among long-term care facility residents. The remaining death occurred at a residence.
One of the deaths reported by Sayers’ office Wednesday was previously reported, though the date was corrected.
It was not immediately clear which facilities reported the deaths.
Eleven of the 14 deaths were reported in a long-term care facility in the 16823 (Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap) ZIP code. Two were reported from a long-term care facility in the 16801 ZIP code, while the remaining death was reported in a long-term care facility in the 16866 ZIP code.
Centre Crest Administrator Andrew Naugle declined to comment about deaths on Wednesday, but said there are 83 active cases among residents and 43 active cases among staff in the facility, which is one of several long-term care facilities in the 16823 ZIP code.
Centre Crest has implemented preventative measures including restricting visitation, resident and staff health screenings, strict hand-washing and the use of personal protective equipment, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health recommendations for long-term care facilities, he said.
“We want to acknowledge and thank our amazing staff for their dedication, compassion and commitment during this pandemic. Thank you to our resident families, local EMS, First Responders, hospital staff, (Regional Response Health Collaboration Program) team, and all of those who are fighting this battle along-side of us,” Naugle wrote in a statement. “We want to also thank the families and community for their ongoing support of our residents and staff through notes of encouragement and other practices.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports 22 deaths among residents at Centre Crest in Bellefonte as of Nov. 8.
Coronavirus cases in area long-term care facilities have surged this fall, with the state Department of Health reporting 361 cases among residents and 74 among employees across 15 Centre County facilities. It is not clear from DOH data how the cases are distributed.
This story was originally published November 25, 2020 at 11:54 AM.