The New Jersey Health Department confirmed the 11th death linked to an ongoing adenovirus outbreak at Wanaque (N.J.) Center for Rehabilitation, reports Reuters.
The child died Nov. 15, marking the 34th pediatric infection linked to the viral outbreak, which started Sept. 26. Health officials announced the first six deaths linked to the outbreak Oct. 23.
Health inspectors first detected inadequate hand hygiene practices among employees at the facility during an Oct. 21 investigation. Subsequent inspections on Nov. 9, 11 and 13 revealed "evidence of continuing noncompliance," Gene Rosenblum, director of the New Jersey health department's office of program compliance, wrote in a letter to Wanaque leaders cited by North Jersey Record.
The state ordered the facility to cease all admissions Nov. 14 until further notice and said infection control deficiencies posed an "imminent and serious risk of harm" to patients, according to the report. The facility was placed on "immediate jeopardy" and could lose CMS funding if it does not take actions to correct these deficiencies.
Wanaque Center said it expects to declare the outbreak over Dec. 7.