Six COVID-19 deaths reported at Schervier nursing home

Ever since the state started releasing specific nursing homes reporting at least five deaths related to complications of COVID-19, the Bronx has had just nine facilities on the list.

On Monday, however, that number grew to 10 with Schervier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 2975 Independence Ave.,  reporting six deaths. That's now part of 179 total deaths from the 10 facilities in the borough, led by 45 from Kings Harbor Multicare Center in Pelham Gardens.

Schervier officials did not return a request for comment early Monday afternoon.

State officials have paid close attention to nursing homes during the coronavirus pandemic, as one infection at a facility with so many medically vulnerable residents could spread rapidly through a facility. There are now 85 nursing homes on the list — up from 67 a little more than a week ago — along with four Long Island adult care facilities.

Cobble Hill Health Center in Brooklyn continues to report the most deaths related to COVID-19 from a single facility with 55, while the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation near Glen Oaks, Queens, have reported 53 deaths. 

Other nearby Bronx nursing homes reporting at least five deaths from the pandemic include St. Patrick's Home at 66 Van Cortlandt Park S., with 17, and The Plaza Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 100 W. Kingsbridge Road, with 36.

Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined the protocol nursing homes must follow, including requiring personal protection equipment and temperature checks for all staff members, isolating residents infected with the coronavirus, notifying all residents and family members within 24 hours if any resident tests positive or dies of complications from the coronavirus, and must readmit any coronavirus-positive residents if they have the ability to provide "adequate level of care" under state health department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Through Sunday, more than 17,300 people have died from complications related to the coronavirus in New York, including more than 2,300 in Bronx County. Of the 826,000 people tested for the virus in the state, just under 292,000 have tested positive. That includes more than 35,500 in the Bronx, nearly 49,400 in Queens, more than 43,000 in Brooklyn, and just over 21,000 in Manhattan. 

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