State covid-19 counts at nursing homes disputed by centers in Allegheny, Westmoreland

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported a large spike in coronavirus deaths at Kane Community Living’s Glen Hazel location, but Allegheny County officials say that never happened.

The state’s updated report says there have been 78 resident cases, 43 resident deaths and 25 staff cases. Allegheny County, which operates the facility, says there have been 78 resident cases, 18 resident deaths and 43 staff cases.

The state’s data is based on self-reported statistics from the facility, so the source of the discrepancy is unclear.

“Our data matches exactly what we have reported to the state,” Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs said. “Although we have asked for clarification in the difference between what we are submitting and what they are reporting, I don’t believe Kane has received those answers.”

The state Department of Health could not provide an explanation.

“We are continuing to work through some questions and challenges in regard to the data,” spokesman Nate Wardle said. “We will review this and work to determine the discrepancy.”

The 18th death at Kane’s Glen Hazel location was reported May 14. The virus was first reported at the facility March 25.

Derry facility’s stats don’t match, either

Kane Community Living isn’t the only senior care facility whose own statistics don’t match the state’s report.

At Loyalhanna Care Center in Derry Township, there have been 21 confirmed resident cases of the coronavirus along with an additional 12 presumed cases, according to data provided by the center. A total of 11 residents with presumed or confirmed coronavirus diagnoses have died. In addition, the facility reports 21 confirmed cases among 21 confirmed employee cases.

Yet, according to the state, there have been 21 resident cases, all of whom died, and 11 employee cases.

Loyalhanna Care Center director Kelly Pynos said in an email she is confident in the center’s numbers. The state’s system for facilities to self-report is confusing, she said. At the height of the outbreak, the center had to file reports on seven different platforms.

The outbreak at the center has ended, though residents and staff are still being routinely screened, Pynos said.

Wardle said the state’s data-collections methods are continuing to evolve.

Self-reporting will become mandatory in the near future, he said.

According to the Department of Health, there have been 15,752 cases of covid-19 among the residents of nursing and personal care homes and 3,621 deaths. That’s about 63% of all coronavirus deaths in Pennsylvania.