The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) disclosed three additional deaths linked to coronavirus at state-owned care facilities.
A 72-year-old female resident from Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna died April 17 and an 81-year-old female resident from the same facility died April 18. Both had been hospitalized in Kent County. In addition, an 82-year-old female patient at Delaware Psychiatric Center near New Castle died April 18. She had taken to a hospital in New Castle County.
A 57-year-old male resident from Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City died April 14 at a New Castle County hospital. More than 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths are tied to long-term care facilities.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the residents from Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill and the patient from Delaware Psychiatric Center who passed away,” said DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “Across our state, we see the heartbreaking toll the coronavirus is taking on the residents of our long-term care facilities and their families. Our Division of Public Health and the Division of Health Care Quality are working closely with the facilities to help care for those who are sick, and to protect the health and safety of all other residents and staff.”
DHSS’ Division of Health Care Quality (DHCQ) is working with DHSS’ 24/7 facilities and private long-term care and other licensed facilities in the state to verify that there are strong screening, infection control and isolation measure in place at each facility, and if, not, to assist them in implementing stronger protocols.
The state facilities are part of the Delaware Health and Public Services, one of the state’s largest employers and is the parent for the Delaware Division of Public Health, the agency taking a lead role in the coronavirus crisis.
