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BHS reports second COVID-19 death

Pictured is a recovery room at Butler Memorial Hospital that has been converted into an overflow room for the Intensive Care Unit.

Butler Health System reported another death due to the coronavirus Friday afternoon.

BHS spokeswoman Jana Panther said one patient, who tested positive for COVID-19, died Friday morning. This is the second death since the pandemic began, both occurring in the last few days.

There are still 15 patients hospitalized at Butler Memorial Hospital with 14 of those patients having suspected cases of COVID-19 and one being confirmed to have the virus.

Seven of those 15 hospitalized patients are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit, an increase from four yesterday.

BHS confirmed that Clarion Hospital's statistics have remained unchanged with two patients in the ICU. One is suspected of having COVID-19. The second patient has been confirmed to have the virus.

Data from the state Department of Health shows that 26 patients in the county have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, but not all of these patients are being treated at BMH.

BHS continues to test patients daily. Through Thursday, BMH staff have tested 788 people with 562 of those being tested at its outdoor facility.

As of Thursday, Clarion Hospital has tested 103 people at its outdoor facility.

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Panther said both BMH and Clarion Hospital have surge capacity plans in place for all types of patients.

“Appropriate patient separation and infection control standards are in place,” she said.

Panther said BHS leadership and medical experts continue regular communication with county, state and federal officials. They are also communicating with the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, state Department of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Panther reported that additional person protective equipment has been received. This includes but is not limited to donations from MSA through Highmark, Slippery Rock University and Butler County Community College.

“Supply availability is adequate at this time,” Panther said. “BHS continues to encourage and is receiving any donations of personal protective equipment.”

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