New data from the Department of Health shows that the majority of Carbon County residents who have died from coronavirus resided in one nursing home. But the virus claimed more lives in dozens of similar facilities around the state.

The Department of Health on Tuesday released a database showing the number of resident cases, employee cases and resident deaths from the 1,900-plus nursing and personal care homes around the state.

Statewide more than 60% of COVID-19 deaths are in nursing homes.

“Lon- term care patients are among the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians with the global pandemic of COVID-19. We want their families to have the latest information of what is going on in the facilities where their loved ones reside,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health.

Weatherwood Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Weatherly reported 13 deaths, according to the data. The deceased made up the majority of the 22 total deaths attributed to the virus in Carbon County so far.

No other Carbon County nursing homes recorded deaths, according to the Department of Health. Weatherwood, which advertises itself as a 200-bed facility, had a total of 58 cases.

Andrew Benson of Guardian Elder Care, which operates Weatherwood, released a statement Wednesday morning.

“The safety of our residents and employees continues to be our top priority. We are communicating regularly with all appropriate public health care authorities, including reporting any confirmed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related mortalities at our sites. We are also adhering to CDC, CMS and DOH guidance on infection prevention and personal protective equipment.”

Neighboring counties

Eighty-five other facilities around the state recorded more deaths than Weatherwood. They included facilities in Monroe, Northampton and Lehigh counties.

In Monroe County, Pleasant Valley Manor has had 21 deaths, Grace Park has nine, and White­stone Care Center has had five.

Numbers were higher at nursing homes in the Lehigh Valley, which has a larger population than Carbon. Northampton County has three nursing homes with at least 20 deaths. Lehigh County has three nursing homes with at least 15 deaths.

Schuylkill County had two nursing homes with deaths, but it was fewer than five in each facility. If a facility has 1-4 deaths, the department won’t release the specific figure because they said it may be an invasion of those individuals’ privacy.

The Department of Health had previously declined to release data about specific facilities because they said it was the responsibility of the facilities to inform patients and their families.

However the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced on May 7 that states must publicize that information.

“We have to balance the importance in public health of the public and media knowing as much information as we can versus the privacy and confidentiality of individuals,” Levine said.

Senator John Yudichak said the data released on Tuesday shows that the true epicenter of the pandemic is in our nursing homes. He has spearheaded the NEPA Nursing Home SOS program, which has raised over $500,000 in private donations to purchase personal protective equipment and other resources for nursing homes.

“Officials from the Department of Health have told us that their decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic are data driven, but for ten weeks the Department has largely ignored the alarming data from Pennsylvania nursing homes, like Weatherwood Healthcare and Rehab Center, that now account for two-thirds of COVID-19 related deaths in the state,” Yudichak said.

After releasing the records, Levine defended the Department of Health’s response to the virus in nursing homes. She said the department responded immediately to prevent the virus’s spread in nursing homes. But they understood that residents in those facilities would be at particular risk. She said other states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois and others have had large numbers of deaths in those facilities.

“You have seniors who are more prone to serious side effects of COVID-19. Seniors with chronic medical conditions who are even more susceptible in a congregate living facility. That’s always going to be a challenge.

Levine said that her department plans to test every patient at every long-term living care facility in Pennsylvania, though there is no legal requirement for them to do so. She said with more than 1,900 facilities statewide that will take some time.

The revelation that so many of Pennsylvania’s coronavirus deaths have led Republican leaders to call for Levine’s removal. She responded Tuesday by saying she will continue to work to protect all Pennsylvania residents whether they agree with her or not.

“I remain committed to protecting the residents of Pennsylvania wherever they live, wherever they go, whether it’s in a facility, at home, in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, Erie or Harrisburg,” Levine said.

For complete list scroll to the bottom of state health department page.