Of the 23 confirmed Atlantic County fatalities from COVID-19 complications in Atlantic County, 10 were residents in long-term care facilities. Five of the recent fatalities were at Egg Harbor Care Center, a for-profit rehab center in Egg Harbor Township. New Jersey figures released on Wednesday showed 12 other residents at Egg Harbor Care Center tested positive for the coronavirus.
An official at the Egg Harbor Care Center did not respond to a message seeking comment. In a 2017 Medicare inspection report, the center was cited for failing to follow appropriate hand hygiene, but its most recent inspections have been clear of deficiencies.
Another care home in Linwood, Complete Care At Linwood, has reported two fatalities and 24 positive test results from among its residents, while Heritage Assisted Living in Hammonton reported one death and five positive test results and Somers Place Assisted Living (in EHT) reported two deaths and three positive test results. Other Atlantic County nursing homes have reported positive test results, but no fatalities.
The Inquirer reported on Wednesday that workers at a Cape May nursing home with nine coronavirus deaths said warning signs were ignored.
New Jersey started publishing the number of fatalities in long-term care facilities on Monday, in spite of push back from some care providers. Facility administrators, employees and family members are questioning the accuracy of the data, NJ.com reported today.
The state’s report on long-term care centers’ COVID-19-related data is here.