A long-term care facility in Lower Township has 27 cases of the coronavirus, including Cape May County's first death at such a facility.An 86-year-old resident of Victoria Manor in North Cape May was hospitalized and has died.The unnamed man had "significant underlying health conditions," health officials said.
The announce comes amid confirmation that the 120-bed facility had 15 residents and 12 staff members who tested positive.It is Cape May County's second death among 100 people who have tested positive. "We are deeply saddened today to learn that a fellow Cape May County resident died from COVID-19," Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said. "Our deepest condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones during their time of mourning. The county remains vigilant in our efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and will continue to do all we can to protect our most vulnerable populations.Of the state's 375 long-term care facilities, 188 have at least one case of COVID-19, state Public Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Tuesday. Genesis HealthCare, which operates Victoria Manor and other nursing homes throughout New Jersey and Delaware, has been working closely with the county and state health departments.
The county helped deliver 400 surgical masks and 200 gowns to the facility in response to the positive tests. "A death in Cape May County shows the gravity of the situation," Freeholder Jeff Pierson said. "It's critically important for us all to take actions that will help protect our most vulnerable citizens. By working together, we can slot the spread of COVID-19 and help ensure the health care system will be able to care for those who need it most."The county Health Department started investigating when it was notified of ill staff and residents, who were then tested. A timeline was not released."When a nursing home facility has an outbreak, regardless if it is flu, norovirus or COVID-19, (the county Health Department) immediately begins the investigation process to follow the communicable disease exposure of others, and will instruct the facility administrators to monitor or isolate those individuals until they are no longer contagious," Health Officer Kevin Thomas said.Those staff and residents who do not have serious symptoms are being monitored and medically isolated but not hospitalized.
