Ten from PA Vet Home Die

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Ten residents at a Pennsylvania veterans home have died from Covid-19, according to officials of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Records show all 10 died at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Chester County.
The deaths occurred despite renewed and updated efforts at infection control at the six facilities which stretch from Erie to Chester County.
Previously the state agency had reported five residents and one employee had tested positive for the virus at the facility. They also reported an employee at a sister facility in Pittsburgh, the Southwestern Veterans Center, had tested positive for the coronovirus.
In addition, according to agency spokeswoman Joan Nissley, systemwide, 16 residents and 22 staffers at the facilities have tested positive for the virus.
Other states have reported much higher numbers of deaths and infections in similar veteran facilities. Massachusetts has reported that 44 died at a single facility in Holyoke.
"When the concerns over COVID-19 first surfaced, staff at our six veterans’ homes reviewed and updated infection prevention and control plans in preparation for a possible outbreak, " Nissley said in an email response to questions.
She said the agency also implemented heightened safety measures including restricting visitors, cancelling outings, discontinuing group activities, ceasing the use of volunteers, conducting daily health screenings for employees, and putting new admissions on hold.
"Our highest priority is the health and safety of our staff and the residents we serve," Nissley said.