2 Beaver County nursing home residents with covid-19 have died, medical director says

Two residents of Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center who tested positive for covid-19 have died, its medical director confirmed Monday.

Dr. David Thimons said the two residents had advanced dementia and were in hospice care when they died. They were in a unit that was converted specifically to treat the covid-19 patients.

“Hospice was there when it happened,” Thimons said. “They were kept comfortable, and it was peaceful.”

The nursing home, formerly owned by Beaver County, is in Brighton Township and has about 470 residents.

It began testing residents Friday, and 10 positive covid-19 cases were confirmed by Saturday morning. On Sunday, Thimons said there were another nine positive tests.

As of Monday, 25 residents had been moved to the specialty unit, Thimons said. More tests are pending.

The residents with pending tests were moved to the unit because they were in rooms with residents who tested positive for covid-19 and they are exhibiting symptoms, Thimons said.

“We’re concerned they’re positive, so we didn’t want to take them off that floor and expose anyone else,” Thimons said. “So, we kept them in isolation and we’re treating them and we’re waiting for the tests to come back.”

Four residents who tested positive are being treated at Heritage Valley Beaver hospital, also in Brighton Township.

Doctors are using telemedicine and video calls to check in with the residents being treated in the nursing home as a way to limit exposure. Thimons checked in with the affected residents on Monday and said their medical treatment is working.

“There are a couple patients who passed away, and it’s very unfortunate,” Thimons said. “They had advanced dementia. They were on hospice. They just didn’t have much reserve, unfortunately.

“But the patients with a little more reserve are doing well, and they’re responding and, for the first time in three days, I feel hopeful.”