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Investigating coronavirus deaths in nursing facilities

Nursing homes across the state have been epicenters for the spread of COVID-19.

If you look at the data in Lackawanna County, the numbers are staggering. Nursing home residents make up about three-quarters of all the COVID deaths in the county.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced on Tuesday that his office is investigating how nursing homes across the state have handled the pandemic and when you look at the statistics for Lackawanna County, it shows why state prosecutors would want to look into this.

It's no secret that nursing homes have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, but new statistics from the Lackawanna County coroner's office show staggering numbers -- 146 deaths across the county since March 23 and more than 100 of the individuals killed by the virus were residents of nursing homes.

Fifteen facilities in the county have had COVID deaths, but four facilities share the majority of them.

According to the Lackawanna County coroner, Allied Services Skilled Nursing has the most with 25 deaths, followed by the Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania with 20.

Mountain View Care Center in Scranton has seen 15, and Carbondale Nursing and Rehab had 11.

Credit: WNEP

According to the numbers, more than 70 percent of all the deaths in Lackawanna County originated from nursing homes.

Allied Services Skilled Nursing is by far the biggest facility in the county with 370 beds.

In a statement, officials from Allied Services said:

"We can confirm, in accordance with the Lackawanna County Coroner report, that Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center has experienced 14 resident deaths over the past 8 weeks in our 369-bed Skilled Nursing home, and an additional 11 residents who were being treated at local hospitals also passed away due to complications from COVID-19.

Our nursing home is the largest non-profit skilled nursing facility in the region, and we provide compassionate, expert care for the sickest, most vulnerable and elderly in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including residents who were on life-sustaining ventilator care prior to the COVID -19 pandemic.

Allied Services continues to have the utmost regard for the ongoing welfare, safety, and health of our residents. Facility Administration continues to monitor the frequently updated guidance from The Pennsylvania Department of Health, CDC, CMS, and local health departments. We continue to implement policy and protocol changes, in response to best practices, as they are identified by these governmental agencies.

All of our staff members continue to follow CDC recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, including the use of PPE.

We are extremely heartbroken for every resident and family member who has experienced loss during this pandemic."

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