Data Reveals Deadliness of Pandemic in PA Veterans Homes:
Recently published data shows that the coronavirus pandemic took the lives of at least 40 military veterans in Pennsylvania VA nursing homes, says an article on WITF.org. Due to privacy reasons, the exact number of veteran nursing home deaths from COVID remains unknown.
As per the law passed nearly a year ago directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to publish COVID-19 data regarding the impact of the pandemic in its nursing homes, recent published data by the VA reveals case numbers and deaths across the nation between the months of May 2020 and August 2021. In Pennsylvania within that timeframe, over 300 veteran residents were infected with COVID-19 across the six VA homes in the state; at least 40 of these elderly veterans died. Additionally, records indicate that 500 Pennsylvania VA nursing home workers also contracted COVID-19.
In nearly every one of the VA homes, the number of nursing home worker cases exceeded the number of resident infections—at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home in Blair County, for example, there were 157 staff member cases versus 61 elderly veterans who got COVID-19; however, while there were zero VA staff deaths in Pennsylvania, 37 veteran deaths from COVID were confirmed in two of the state’s VA homes (19 at Hollidaysburg). Between one and 10 veterans died in each of the four other VA homes in Pennsylvania, bringing the number of deaths from COVID to at least 40.
Details regarding what measures were taken by PA veteran nursing home workers to prevent the virus from spreading to residents remain unknown, as does information regarding the timeframe of deaths. The article does note that, upon the wide availability of vaccines for elderly Americans in January, many VA residents were vaccinated in Pennsylvania homes.
Data reveals deadliness of pandemic in PA veterans homes and nationwide, 1,498 veteran residents and 54 VA staff died.
The breakdown of the COVID-19 case and death data is as follows:
- Southwestern Veterans’ Center: 76 staff COVID infections; 26 resident COVID infections; 1-10 resident deaths
- Hollidaysburg Veterans Home: 157 staff COVID infections; 61 resident COVID infections; 19 resident deaths
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans’ Center: 78 staff COVID infections; 37 resident COVID infections; 1-10 resident deaths
- Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home: 76 staff COVID infections; 51 resident COVID infections; 1-10 resident deaths
- Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center: 65 staff COVID infections; 68 resident COVID infections; 18 resident deaths
- Pennsylvania Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home: 65 staff COVID infections; 63 resident COVID infections; 1-10 resident deaths
Working to Keep Your Loved One Safe
Determining the quality and safety of the Philadelphia/PA or NJ nursing home where your loved one lives is essential. Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing homes are required to meet health and safety standards requirements and to ensure the physical, mental, and psycho/social well-being of their residents. To meet these standards, the Philadelphia/PA or NJ nursing home where your loved one lives must be equipped to avoid the kind of substandard care that amounts to nursing home neglect or abuse. Should you have concerns about the quality of care in a Pennsylvania or New Jersey nursing home, or if you suspect neglect, abuse, or fraud has occurred at the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, or New Jersey nursing home where your loved one lives, please contact nursing home abuse attorney Brian P. Murphy to discover your legal rights and options.
