Seven COVID-19 deaths reported at East Providence nursing home

EAST PROVIDENCE — Following an anonymous tip provided to WJAR TV by an employee there, state officials confirmed among the significant amount of COVID-19 deaths being reported at nursing homes throughout Rhode Island seven were residents at the Orchard View Manor on Tripps Lane off the Wampanoag Trail.

In total, the Rhode Island Department of Health confirmed to the station as of April 14 there were 90 positive coronavirus cases of residents at Orchard View as well as 15 staff members. Those numbers represent the vast majority of the 123 COVID-19 cases in East Providence confirmed as of the same date.

Included in a statement to WJAR from Orchard View Manor spokesman Tim Brown was the following remark: “This virus has impacted nursing homes at a disproportionately high rate. In Rhode Island, patients and staff have tested positive in dozens of centers. Sadly, Orchard View has been significantly impacted. We are devastated that patients in our care have contracted this virus. We are doing all we can to treat them and our thoughts are with those patients inflicted with this virus and their loved ones.”

During her daily press briefing on the virus, Gov. Gina Raimondo reported Wednesday data showed 278 new confirmed coronavirus cases for a total of 3,529, and 229 people now hospitalized. 

There were seven new fatalities, four of them in their 80s, two in their 90s and one over age 100. Six of the seven were residents of nursing homes, which now represent 64 of the 87 COVID-19 deaths in the state to date.

Also Wednesday, East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva said the number of deaths at Orchard View is likely now 10 and could be as many as 19 once confirmation comes from state authorities.

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