(Lititz, PA – LititzDailyNews.com) – A resident of Brethren Village who tested positive for COVID-19 has died, according to a press release issued tonight. The resident, who passed away this morning, resided in the same skilled nursing memory support unit where it was announced on Wednesday that a first resident had tested positive. That first resident is reported to be in stable condition at Brethren Village.

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“There were three other residents on the same unit that were tested due to potential exposure,” according to the statement from Brethren Village. “We learned today that two of them tested positive for COVID-19 and one of the two passed away this morning.” The third resident’s test was reportedly negative.

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“Both residents are isolated and symptoms continue to be monitored both of residents and team members to ensure COVID-19 patients receive the best possible care while all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the well-being of our team members and other residents,” the statement said.

The Lititz Pike entrance to Brethren Village is barricaded. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/LititzDailyNews.com

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That brings the total of known positive COVID-19 cases in residents and staff at Brethren Village to four, with one death. Brethren Village previously reported that a “non-caregiving staff member in an administrative role” had tested positive for the coronavirus and was self-quarantining at home since March 25.

Most of the patients hospitalized in Pennsylvania with COVID-19 are age 65 or older, and most of the deaths in patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have occurred in that age group.

Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has said that seniors living in long-term care living facilities–nursing homes, personal care homes, assisted living facilities–are at great risk during the pandemic, that the disease is more serious in the elderly, and that many in that age range have underlying health conditions.

During a press conference on Friday Dr. Levine said the state is looking to contract with a company that is “almost like a nursing home SWAT team” to assist care communities that might be having difficulty with infection control.

Brethren Village is closing the campus to outside visitors effective 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 5. Residents and staff will only be allowed after that time, according to a statement on the facility website. Only one family caregiver providing a direct care service or life-sustaining healthcare providers will be permitted to visit.

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Lynn Rebuck is the editor and publisher of award-winning LititzDailyNews.com, the only independent digital news source in Lititz. Lynn is an award-winning photojournalist who was invited to the White House and has received top recognition from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and has been profiled in Editor & Publisher magazine for her unparalleled dedication to publishing LititzDailyNews.com to benefit the community.