As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread across the area and region, concerns for vulnerable populations such as the elderly in long-term care facilities and nursing homes have increased exponentially.
In the North Penn area, a total of nine elderly residents have died due to the coronavirus: a 90-year-old male from Hatfield Township and eight Upper Gwynedd Township residents that ranged in age from 82 to 86-years-old. That cluster of deaths in Upper Gwynedd over the last six days quickly gave rise to speculation that the victims may have resided in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
We can now confirm that at least a portion of those deaths originated from the Gwynedd Square Nursing Center on Sumneytown Pike.
In a phone interview with North Penn Now, Gwynedd Healthcare Nursing Home Administrator Michelle Taylor confirmed that the facility has seen multiple cases of the coronavirus among their residents and staff members. Taylor also confirmed that multiple residents have died from the coronavirus.
“There are several residents who have tested positive and were moved to the hospital, where they unfortunately passed away,” said Taylor.
Taylor said that the facility is currently treating one positive coronavirus case at their facility, and two other positive cases recently returned from the hospital. Those residents who test positive are being kept in an isolation unit away from the other residents, according to Taylor.
North Penn Now has independently confirmed that one employee who tested positive has since recovered, following a quarantine period.
An official statement sent to North Penn Now after the phone interview reads as follows:
“The Gwynedd Healthcare team is deeply saddened by the loss of some of our beloved residents that tested positive for COVID-19. Our deepest condolences go out to the families and our thoughts and prayers are with them. Gwynedd Healthcare continues to follow all recommendations and guidelines from the local health department and CDC.”
When asked about personal protective equipment (PPE), Taylor said they currently have a strong supply of PPE, but added that they are taking inventory daily and would gladly take any available donations for future use.
A family member of a current Gwynedd Square resident, who spoke with North Penn Now on the condition of anonymity, said that she received a letter in the mail several weeks ago regarding the coronavirus.
“We received a letter about it,” said the source. “They said they were experiencing some cases among the residents and staff, and they were no longer accepting visitors.”
The source said that communication from the facility has been mostly consistent, with weekly calls from social workers. Those calls, however, did not discuss the number of cases and deaths, according to the source.
“I feel like [my family member] is getting good care, in spite of the fact that information about the coronavirus cases isn’t always forthcoming,” said the source. “Knowing what I know now, I wish I could go see her.”
Taylor said the staff will continue to follow all recommendations and guidelines from the local health authorities and the CDC. In the interim, she asked that the community continues to keep her residents and staff in their thoughts.
“We’re asking for thoughts and prayers for our staff, our residents and their families,” said Taylor.
See also:
Third Coronavirus Death Reported In Upper Gwynedd, Countywide Cases Increase To 1,294
North Penn Area Coronavirus Cases Increase To 105, Countywide Cases At 1,134 With 27 Deaths
Second Coronavirus Death Reported In Upper Gwynedd Township, 15 New Cases In North Penn Area
Upper Gwynedd Woman Dies From Coronavirus, Cases Increase By 71 Across County
