Health officials confirm 2nd death related to COVID-19 in Madison county
The Regional Health Department says a 77-year old woman lost her life Saturday that previously tested positive for COVID-19.
The 77-year old woman lived at American Health Communities Forest Cove right here in Jackson.
The facility sent this statement to 39 News saying the resident who died was in Hospice for problems unrelated to COVID-19, but she died a few days after testing positive for the virus.
“The individual who died on Saturday was in hospice for other problems unrelated to COVID-19. This resident tested positive for the virus last week, was immediately isolated, then died a few days later. The department of health deemed the cause of death COVID-19, but the resident also had other underlying conditions, as do many of the older and medically frail people we care for.”
- AHC Forest Cove
Forest Cove has had 9 residents test positive for COVID-19 according to the Tennessee Department of Health’s data.
Governor Bill Lee announced a push for COVID-19 testing in nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state after an outbreak in those facilities in middle Tennessee.
That testing has to be done by the facilities and finished by the end of May.
Over 100,000 Tennesseans live in nursing home facilities across the state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the most vulnerable population for COVID-19 are people 65 and older and those who have underlying conditions.
Most residents in long-term care facilities are apart of both populations, which puts them at a higher risk for severe illness if the virus is contracted.
The facility stated that families of patients in their building have been notified about the number of positive cases.
“Patient advocates are providing families with updates on their loved ones – at least weekly or more often as appropriate. This includes providing notification to all residents and families within 12 hours if we are notified of a positive result within a facility, in keeping with CDC and CMS requirements. Notification is also provided if three or more residents or staff experience the new onset of respiratory symptoms within a 72-hour period.”
-AHC Forest Cove
Forest Cove did not release the name of the resident. Imani Williams, for 39 News, in Jackson.
