According to a New York Times story, one-third of national deaths from COVID-19 were residents of long-term facilities.
The statistic is far more extreme in Maricopa County, where 70% of the 240 coronavirus-related deaths as of May 11 were residents of long-term facilities.
While other facilities have not shared information on deaths, Glencroft Center for Modern Aging in Glendale announced 38 residents tested positive for COVID-19 and seven residents died from complications from the disease, according to Millie Oakeson, vice president of corporate marketing for the facility.
“Glencroft has 1,600 people working and living on its campus. The seven deaths have come from Providence Place, a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility at Glencroft,” Oakeson said.
She said none of the 600 residents in Glencroft’s independent living residences have tested positive.
“All of the residents who have died from the virus had chronic illnesses or a terminal disease which contributed to their passing,” Oakeson said.
“Glencroft continues to test residents and employees, and there has been no visitation allowed for more than 10 weeks. Employees are checked and screened daily, and infected residents are isolated to prevent further spread.”
Several other long-term facilities in the Valley have had multiple residents die of COVID-19.
According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, “Residents of long-term care facilities (including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation facilities and hospice facilities) are at highest risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection because they live in a communal setting and tend to be older with chronic medical conditions.”
Of 967 COVID-19 cases among residents at 135 facilities, 221 (23%) have been hospitalized and 162 (18%) have died.
Of the 221 residents of long-term facilities that have been hospitalized in the county, 170 have died (77%).
And 90% of those who have died of COVID-19 in the county have been 65 or older, according to Department of Public Health data. Of the remaining COVID-19 deaths, 8% have been in the 45-to-64 age range, with 2% 20 to 44.
Of the county deaths, 97% have been “high risk”—65 and older and/or had a chronic condition.
Arizona Department of Health Services figures show 79% of Arizona’s COVID-19 deaths have been 65 and older.
Two employees of long-term facilities in Maricopa County have died of COVID-19. According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, “Of 419 COVID-19 cases among staff, 23 (5%) have been hospitalized.”