In its effort to continue providing comprehensive public information regarding coronavirus cases in Chester County, the Chester County Health Department has added new data to its COVID-19 web pages, focused on long-term-care facilities and personal-care homes.
The new data can be accessed on Chester County’s COVID-19 web page.
“Given the congregate nature of long-term-care facilities and personal-care homes, and the fact that they serve older adults who often have underlying chronic medical conditions, they are at the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19,” said Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Casner.
“The data that we are publishing helps to give context to our overall case numbers and is a snapshot of the challenges that our long-term-care facilities and personal-care homes are facing,” said Casner. “Our definition of ‘outbreak’ begins with just one case in a congregate-care setting, so the data we are reporting reflects that.”
One of the key roles of the Chester County Health Department as it relates to COVID-19 is the assistance to long-term-care facilities and personal-care homes in identifying cases, reviewing practices, and managing the spread of the coronavirus. But, in addition to this support, many of the facilities have reached a point where staff, residents, and families of residents also need emotional and mental health support.
“Staff of long-term-care facilities and personal-care homes are understandably feeling worn out and at times helpless; residents are fearful; and families are not feeling as connected to their loved ones,” said Casner. “All of this takes its toll, so we are also working with staff in our human services department, department of aging, and department of mental health services to provide holistic wellness support for everyone affected – staff, residents, and families.”
As long-term-care facilities and personal-care homes are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health or Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the Chester County Health Department does not provide details of COVID-19 cases or deaths to specifically named long-term-care facilities or personal-care homes.
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