New Jersey-based Allaire Health Services will take over temporary management of Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Beaver County. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said on Monday that the company will remain in place until the rate of infection at the facility is “substantially reduced.” Allaire Health Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The news comes as National Guard troops arrive at the skilled nursing facility, where hundreds of residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Troops are providing patient care and serving in other support roles, until more nursing staff can be brought in from Texas next week, according to the state. It’s unclear why more staff are needed at the facility. A Brighton Rehab spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions sent via e-mail.
While two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 deaths have occurred in long-term care homes, the state has so far refused to release data about specific facilities. However, the state’s website shows more than 300 cases of COVID-19 in the 15009 zip code in which Brighton Rehab is located. That’s more than any other zip code in Southwestern Pennsylvania. More than 60 residents of the facility have died, according to Democratic Congressman Conor Lamb, who represents the region. Lamb has called for a federal investigation of the facility.
Fatalities for specific facilities have also not been released by the state, but health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said those figures and case numbers are forthcoming.
“We were waiting the [Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services] guidance about the data to be released. We have been working on that plan, and the data will be released later this week,” Levine said.
