'It's like my mom never existed': Coronavirus at Charles County nursing home leaves 35 dead [View all]

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Baltimore Sun

‘It’s like my mom never existed’: Coronavirus at Charles County nursing home leaves 35 dead — and families with questions

By JEAN MARBELLA BALTIMORE SUN | APR 30, 2020 | 1:32 PM

The call from the nursing home that so many family members fear these days came shortly after midnight April 10 for Rosa Hernandez: Your mother is having trouble breathing. ... Rosa Inguanzo was rushed to the hospital, where she was tested for the coronavirus. It was positive, and Inquanzo died later that morning.

The 90-year-old former teacher had lived at Sagepoint Senior Living Services in LaPlata, where according to the state 34 residents and one staffer have succumbed to the virus, more than any other nursing home in Maryland. ... Hernandez said she called Sagepoint to let them know that her mother had the virus“What hurts me the most is I have yet to hear from them — not a word,” she said. “It’s like my mom never existed. It’s so heartbreaking. That was her home.”

The number of deaths at the Sagepoint has alarmed many in Southern Maryland. Throughout the state, with nursing home residents making up more than half of the COVID-19 deaths, the grief of some family members is mixed with questions about whether more could have been done to protect this elderly, vulnerable population.

At least six Maryland nursing homes have more than 100 COVID-19 cases »
https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-md-daily-coronavirus-updates-20200319-k3zo35wudvhehb5yklyjv6jjem-story.html

In and around LaPlata, a town of about 9,500 that is the seat of Charles County, the deaths have touched many. and died. She said she was met with silence.

{snip}

This story may be updated.

Jean Marbella is a reporter on The Sun’s investigative and enterprise team. She joined The Sun in 1987 and has been a features writer, national correspondent, editor and columnist. She was born in Havre de Grace, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.

Copyright © 2020, Baltimore Sun

Read more: https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-md-sagepoint-nursing-home-20200430-vpnt2liy4reudmpsxtcf7fi7qa-story.html