St. Mary Parish Coroner Issues Update, 9 COVID-19 Related Deaths, Including 5 at Franklin Nursing Home

St. Mary Parish Coroner Dr. Eric Melancon issued the following update Thursday evening:

“Currently, St. Mary Parish has had 134 proven cases of COVID 19. Of that we have had 9 deaths related to the virus. We have also had 2 deaths believed to be COVID related but tested negative therefore are classified (per the State Registrar of Vital Statistics) as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) possibly due to COVID 19. There is one other death in which the results are pending.

Containment efforts have proven to be successful at Legacy of Franklin as the rate of spread has dramatically slowed with 20 residents currently with Coronavirus infection. Unfortunately, there were 5 deaths and 10 employees who tested positive. With assistance of the Coroner’s Office, Region 3 Department of Health, Governor’s Office, Parish Government, Homeland Security, and numerous other agencies, the staff at Legacy has continued to focus on the safety of their residents and staff.

We will continue to focus our efforts parish wide and ask the residents to follow Governor Edwards STAY AT HOME directive.”