Washington, D.C. (March 27, 2020) – As reported by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) on March 26, 2020, one Resident has died and six others have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus at Jeanne Jugan Residence in Newark, Delaware.
The Little Sisters of the Poor have been caring for needy elderly persons in the United States for 150 years. We currently own and operate 25 homes for the elderly across the country and 167 worldwide.
The following is attributable to Mother Margaret Regina Halloran, superior for the Residence in Newark:
“We are devastated at the loss of our dear Resident and the positive test results of six others. In all our Homes the Residents truly become our family. We Little Sisters will continue to do all in our strength to meet this challenge, keep our beloved Residents safe and comfortable and provide them with spiritual accompaniment, while also assuring the safety of our staff.”
A DHSS team was onsite at the Jeanne Jugan Residence March 26. Our Residence is following all DHSS directives relative to this urgent situation. The Residents who tested positive for the coronavirus are being quarantined in the facility with dedicated caregivers.
Jeanne Jugan Residence serves 66 low-income elderly residents in three levels of care, including intermediate care/skilled, residential rest and independent apartments. There are 11 Little Sisters of the Poor and 123 staff members at the Residence.
We appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time for our Residents, our Homes and our Nation.
For more information contact Sister Constance Veit, l.s.p., Communications Director, serenity@LittleSistersofthePoor.org
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The following statement was offered by the DHSS: “The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) took immediate action to assess the situation around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Little Sisters of the Poor at the Jeanne Jugan Residence in Newark. DHSS is actively working with the facility to ensure resident and staff safety.”
For more information on the DHSS response contact Jill Fredel with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services by email at Jill.Fredel@delaware.gov or by cell at (302) 357-7498.