Delco nursing home calls for National Guard help with COVID-19 cases

UPDATED: 11:58 a.m.

BROOMALL, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A long-term care facility in Delaware County is calling in the National Guard for help after at least 49 residents tested positive for COVID-19.

The Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is getting assistance from 18 National Guard members due to staffing shortages at the facility.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says multiple care centers across the nation are getting the same type of help.

Related

"There are several nursing homes that are being assisted being the National Guard and that's the medical support arm of the National Guard," she explained, adding that within a congruent population of vulnerable senior citizens, the virus spreads quickly.

Leaders of the Nursing Center and county officials agreed it was time to make the call as coronavirus cases rose, according to a spokesperson.

Chairman of the Delaware County Council Brian Zidek said in a statement the additional support from the National Guard is temporary.

The team of 12 Army medics and six Air Force nurses will work 12-hour shifts over the next four weeks.

A previous version of this story said the National Guard medics would be working over the next three days. A spokesperson from the facility clarified the team will be on site over the next four weeks.