A third Princeton resident has died of COVID-19, the Princeton Health Department announced April 13.
The 94-year-old man was a patient at the Princeton Care Center on Bunn Drive. His death is the second one at the nursing home, officials said.
A man who was in his 80s and who had pre-existing conditions died at the Princeton Care Center earlier this month.
The two men were among five patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Princeton Care Center, officials said.
Patients who test positive for the disease and those who are symptomatic have been isolated in a separate wing at the Princeton Care Center. Staff members who have had contact with them have been placed on quarantine, according to officials.
The Princeton Care Center is monitoring the vital signs of all residents and staff daily, officials said. The Princeton Health Department is working with the nursing home to have all staff tested for the disease.
The Princeton Health Department also is reinforcing the requirement that all staff at the Princeton Care Center must wear facial masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Princeton extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the patient, as well as all who have been affected by this outbreak,” Princeton Health Officer Jeffrey Grosser said. “We continue to strongly recommend that all Princeton residents, workers, students and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19.”
Princeton Health Department officials encourage residents with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly to stay at home.
The first Princeton resident to die of COVID-19 was a 92-year-old woman who may have contracted the disease from a home health aide, officials said. She died earlier this month.
The three Princeton residents who died are among the 71 Mercer County residents who have died of COVID-19 as of April 14, Mercer County officials said. To date, 1,731 Mercer County residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
Statewide, 68,824 New Jersey residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and 2,805 residents have died of it, the New Jersey Department of Health reported April 14.
Princeton Health Department officials said that 64 Princeton residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 14. There were 34 men and 30 women whose tests came back positive.
Four of the residents were under 18 years old. There were 42 residents between 18 years old and 65 years old who tested positive for COVID-19, and 18 residents who were 66 years or older.
Of those 18 residents, six were between 66 years old and 75 years old, and seven were between 76 years old and 85 years old. The remaining seven were older than 86 years old, officials said.
