More nursing home deaths reported from Princeton

 

Two additional residents of the Princeton Care Center have died of COVID-19 complications since May 27, bringing the total to 10 residents at the Bunn Drive long-term care center, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

The total number of Princeton residents who have died of COVID-19 stands at 25, the Princeton Health Department reported May 29. This includes 10 residents at the Princeton Care Center and seven residents at the Acorn Glen assisted living facility on Mount Lucas Road, all of whom have been confirmed to have died of the disease.

The other deaths have been deemed “probable positive expired” by the Princeton Health Department. Officials began including “probable deaths” May 8 in reports, based on the evaluation of death certificates and cross-referencing against lists provided by long-term care facilities.

Meanwhile, the total number of Princeton residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 is 174 residents. This includes the Princeton residents who have died of COVID-19 complications.

Of the 174 residents whose tests were positive for COVID-19, there were 105 residents between 18 and 65 years old, and 62 residents who were at least 66 years old. Of those 62 residents, 30 were older than 86 years old.

Nearly 70 of those 174 residents are white, officials said. Fewer than 10 are African-American. Hispanics made up a little more than 30 cases, and Asians accounted for slightly more than 20 cases, the Princeton Health Department reported.

Mercer County residents who would like to be tested for COVID-19 can do so at the appointment-only, drive-through testing center set up by Mercer County in the parking lot across the street from the Mercer County Administration Building at 640 S. Broad St. in Trenton.

Any resident who has a physician’s prescription for a COVID-19 test is eligible to be tested on an appointment basis. Initially, only residents who showed symptoms of COVID-19 were eligible for testing.

To be eligible for testing, it is necessary to be examined by a primary care physician, officials said. The physician will decide whether a test is needed and issue a prescription.

There is no charge for testing at any of the Mercer County testing sites, which includes the drive-through site and appointment-only, walk-up testing sites in Trenton and Hightstown.