All But One Marblehead Coronavirus Deaths At Nursing Homes

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead had 223 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Tuesday, as well as 30 reported COVID-19 deaths.

According to the town's weekly coronavirus update, all but one of those deaths had occurred at the Marblehead's nursing homes. The town also said 133, or 59.6 percent, of the confirmed cases had been patients or staff members at the facilities.

Nursing homes have been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, despite extra precautions. Last week the state released the first report of bi-weekly compliance checks showing Alliance Health at Devereux on Lafayette Street had scored 27 of 28 in the first round of inspections. Long term care facilities needed to score 20 of 28 and be in compliance in six core areas to be listed "in adherence" by the state.

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Wednesday Alliance's 64-bed Marblehead facility had more than 30 confirmed cases and 18 reported coronavirus deaths.

At the 65-bed Lafayette Rehab & Skilled Nursing facility in Marblehead, there have been more than 30 confirmed coronavirus cases and fewer than five reported COVID-19 deaths. Lafayette scored 25 of 28 on the state inspections but was not listed as in adherence because it was not in compliance in at least one of the six core areas.

Patch has asked the facilities and town officials for comment and clarification on the discrepancy between the two sets of numbers and will update this story when we hear back from them.

As of Wednesday, long-term care facilities account for 4,041, or 62.58 percent, of the state's 6,457 reported coronavirus-related deaths. Of the states 94,220 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, 20,267, or 21.5 percent, were either patients or workers in long-term care facilities.

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).