Samaritan Health Announces Second COVID-19-Related Death; Reminds Community of Importance of Adhering to Safety Measures

Published on: November 19, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center announced the second COVID-19-related death in Jefferson County. The patient, an elderly Jefferson County resident with underlying health conditions, acquired COVID-19 in the community and was receiving inpatient care at Samaritan.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the patient’s family, said Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO, Samaritan Health. “The pandemic’s current, record-setting surge is intense and is impacting communities of all sizes throughout our region, New York State and the U.S. This is only the second COVID-related death here at Samaritan in the past three months, but it is heartbreaking nonetheless and helps drive home the message that we must remain vigilant in our efforts to minimize the virus’s threat as we head into Thanksgiving, the holiday season and the winter months. As virus cases spike nationwide, it’s important to note younger and healthier people are increasingly becoming infected; this is not something that only impacts older Americans or those with underlying health conditions.”

Samaritan Medical Center remains the primary Jefferson County hospital providing inpatient care to those diagnosed with COVID-19. Currently there are four other inpatients with COVID-19 at the hospital. Samaritan remains well prepared to care for these patients, with proficient staff and critical care physicians, ample personal protective equipment, and dedicated space to separate patients with COVID-19 from the rest of the patient population. Our COVID-19 only unit has been open consistently for several weeks now, after not having any inpatients for many weeks this summer. The local rise in cases leads us to believe we will have inpatients consistently for the near future.

“Once again, we pause to thank our staff for their dedication and continued efforts to ensure safe, quality health care for our patients during this crisis,” said Carman. “The risk they face every single day, and the strain it puts on them and their families warrants our appreciation and gratitude. We remind everyone to recommit to safe behaviors that will allow us to slow the spread and help protect our entire community.”

This second COVID-related death of a local community member is even more reason to practice all the safety guidelines to slow the spread of this virus. To protect yourself and your loved ones – wash your hands, wear your mask properly, social distance and avoid crowds.