Bellingham nursing home reports seventh death linked to coronavirus
A former long-term resident at Shuksan Healthcare Center who had tested positive for COVID-19 died last weekend while at St. Joseph hospital, according to a news release from the Bellingham nursing facility on Monday, April 6.
The resident, who was in their 60s, was transferred to the hospital more than a week ago, but after they tested positive for the new coronavirus.
“Our hearts go out to the family, and we are keeping them in our thoughts,” the release said.
The death is the seventh of a current or former Shuksan resident who tested positive for coronavirus. An eighth person, who was formerly a resident at Shuksan, died at home 10 days after they were released and a test that came back a day after their death positive for COVID-19.
The facility also reported Monday that it has admitted one new resident who previously tested positive for COVID-19. The decision was made after consulting with the Shuksan medical director and the Whatcom County Health Department.
That means the facility now has 27 residents who have tested positive for the respiratory illness, according to the release. The facility also is housing two residents who have tested negative for COVID-19, one who refused to be tested and one who had an inconclusive test result.
“We continue to follow all CDC, state, and Whatcom County Health Department requirements and guidelines for care of all our residents,” Shuksan said in the statement.
On March 22, the health department reported a coronavirus outbreak at Shuksan. The facility has since reported 54 people associated with the facility have tested positive for COVID-19 — 31 residents and 23 employees.
The health department reported Monday that 228 Whatcom County residents have tested positive and 19 related deaths.
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 2:18 PM.
