Officials report 8 coronavirus deaths at care facility

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Eight more people at a southern West Virginia nursing home have died from coronavirus, state officials announced on Sunday.

The deaths at the the Princeton Health Care Center in Mercer County occurred over the last few weeks, but weren’t officially reported due to personnel changes at the Mercer County Health Department, a statement from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources said. Three other deaths were previously reported at the facility.

The statement said the new deaths included four females in their 80s, two females in their 70s, a 91-year-old male and a 76-year-old male.

The state reported 131 additional cases on Sunday, bringing the total number to 7,694. There have been 139 total deaths reported in West Virginia, officials said.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness and be fatal.

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