via Oregon Live: 2 men from group homes for people with disabilities dead from coronavirus as advocates point to problems
As the mother of a special needs adult, I am especially concerned about the health and safety of all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Every care should be taken to ensure their well-being in group homes and in all other settings.
-Deb
Two men who lived in state-regulated homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities died from the coronavirus this month, state officials said.
The deaths reflect the epidemic’s escalating incursion into the network of nearly 2,400 such homes in Oregon. There are now 55 total cases across 32 group homes for adults and children, up from 10 cases in 10 homes two months ago. Two-thirds of all infections are staff and the rest are residents. No children have been infected.
One of the men who died lived in Clackamas County and the other lived in Marion County, a department spokeswoman said. They were 68 and 70 years old and both died in hospitals.
“We’re very saddened by these deaths,” said Lilia Teninty, who oversees the Oregon Department of Human Services division that regulates the homes. The numbers reflect growing case counts across the state in the general population, she said.
Relative to how many group homes there are, the infection and death numbers are low, said Toni Larson, Oregon’s ombudsman for people in the homes. But she said she’s concerned cases will grow as the state reopens.