New coronavirus-related deaths reported in Wake County nursing homes

The state reported 19 coronavirus-related deaths in Wake County nursing homes between Aug. 7 and 11, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports.

The data comes as infections increased in the last week in Triangle nursing homes with ongoing outbreaks, and more residents died from COVID-19, according to the state’s report on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s DHHS report on congregate care outbreaks shows 14 new resident deaths at Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest, bringing the total there to 19. The outbreak there includes 10 staff members and 65 residents.

The state releases the reports Tuesday and Friday afternoons. An outbreak is considered two or more cases.

Wake County has ongoing coronavirus outbreaks at 16 nursing homes. Durham has ongoing outbreaks at five nursing homes. Orange County has ongoing outbreaks at two nursing homes, according to DHHS.

In Wake County, two more resident deaths were reported at UNC Rex Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center of Raleigh, bringing the total to three. The outbreak at the nursing center includes 21 residents, 11 more than reported Aug. 4, and 12 staff members, two more than last Tuesday.

Two more resident deaths were reported at Capital Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, bringing the total to seven. In the outbreak there, 43 residents and nine staff are infected.

One more resident’s death was reported at Litchford Falls Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, bringing the total to six. Fifty-seven residents and 20 staff members have coronavirus infections, increases of eight and seven, respectively.

The Rosewood Health Center reported a new outbreak with two staff members infected.

Expanded testing in nursing homes

Elderly people are at high risk of severe COVID-19 complications. Eighty percent of those who have died of COVID-19 in North Carolina were 65 or older, according to DHHS.

According to the state, 906 COVID-19 deaths are attributable to nursing home residents or staff members, as of Aug. 11. Nursing homes account for 7,091 coronavirus cases since the pandemic started.

In late June, the state announced all nursing home residents and staff members would be tested for the coronavirus.

Last, week, DHHS said the state would pay for biweekly testing of all nursing home staff through November, using CARES Act money, The News & Observer reported.

In Durham, The Forest at Duke has two additional coronavirus infections among staff, bringing the total to four. Durham Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has three infected staff members, up one from a week ago.

The Accordius Health at Roses Manor has two infected residents, one more than a week ago. Two staff members at Accordius are also infected.