Long-Term Care Tallies 2/3 Of COVID-19 Deaths In Delco, Chesco

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Two of every three deaths from COVID-19 in both Delaware and Chester counties were persons in long-term care, according to health department reports.

As the United States marked 400,000 deaths this week, Delaware County passed 1,000 deaths and Chester County marked 582 dead from COVID-19.

To bring clarity in what COVID-19 metrics mean, specifically concerning how deaths in the county break down, Patch found two-thirds of deaths here from COVID-19 are taking place in long-term care facilities, according to health department reports. The Chester County Health Department oversees the pandemic response for both Chester and Delaware counties, so both are included here.

The two-thirds figure has been consistent across the pandemic. In mid-May, across the state, 68 percent of deaths from COVID-19 had been in nursing homes, Patch reported then. Nursing homes in the Greater Philadelphia area became early hotspots as the coronavirus spread in spring.

In Delaware County, 1,061 have died as of today, according to the Chester County Health Department's reports. Of those deaths, 67 percent were in long-term care facilities — 709 deaths.

In Chester County, 582 have died. Of those 387 were in long-term care facilities — just under 68 percent.

The bulk of those long-term care deaths in both counties are people over 80. In Delaware County, 482 of 709 long-term care deaths were of those over 80. That's 67 percent. In Chester County, 285 of 387 long-term care deaths were of those over 80, just under 74 percent.

The winter surge of the pandemic is not yet abating. Two-thirds of U.S. states this week have rising COVID-19 death counts, the Associated Press reported. Government sources, including the World Health Organization, reported on Jan. 20 that 403,576 have died in the U.S.

These numbers are not just numbers, of course. They mean that many families have seen the loss of grandparents and great-grandparents, more than would have if not for the ongoing pandemic. The health safety requirements of the pandemic also mean the families may have endured those losses without the usual intimate good-byes. The hugs among family and friends that are a part of healthy grieving are also lessened if not forbidden.

Donahue Funeral Homes of West Chester and Downingtown has posted a statement about funerals amid COVID-19 limitations that demonstrates what a grandparent's, or other loved one's, funeral might look like in a pandemic.

"We understand the importance of attending funeral visitations and services to personally offer your condolences to a family who has recently lost a loved one. However, we have to obey the recommendations provided by our government and state funeral board officials by enforcing that everybody attending must wear a mask. We are also limited to 25 people in the building at one time," Donahue Funeral Homes stated.

"Although a hug, kiss, or a handshake can mean the world to family who is grieving a loss, it is not the only way to offer condolences. A phone call, text message, card, or even as simple as leaving a comment on our website’s tribute wall can truly mean so much to the family," the site's post said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers Grief and Loss resources on its COVID-19 website.

Families who have lost a loved one to COVID-19 who might wish to share their stories with their communities are invited to contact Patch at marlene.lang@patch.com.

Patch offers sincere sympathies to all in our communities who are grieving the loss of a loved one.