The New York Nursing Home COVID-19 Disaster

We are in the midst of an international coronavirus pandemic, with New York in the cross-hairs, with 242,786 confirmed cases and 13,869 confirmed deaths. These numbers are thought to be grossly under-reported.

The numbers of lives lost are staggering and heartbreaking. Amidst the heartbreak, a very disturbing reality was recently thrust into the spotlight: 25% of the people who died from COVID in New York State were residents of nursing homes, over 3,000 elderly, vulnerable victims.

The complaints of the countless relatives of nursing home residents are sad, and extraordinary: reports of feeling helpless, forbidden to visit or communicate with their family members who cannot advocate for themselves, nursing homes failing to test residents, failing to test nursing staff, not being transparent with families, attempting to sweep the nursing home infection problems under the rug, herding residents in common areas with no protection, being utterly unprepared in procedures and protective gear to deal with an infection problem, misleading families, failing to notify families of cases of coronavirus and deaths, and more - the list goes on.

Separate from the failure of New York nursing homes to be prepared to deal with this infection, the failure of the nursing homes to communicate with the families of their residents, and simply inform them of their residents' medical conditions, coronavirus cases and deaths is incomprehensible. After being kept in the dark for weeks, it took Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign an executive order requiring New York nursing homes to notify family members of confirmed cases and deaths within 24 hours, connected to COVID-19.

The recent news reports paint an unbelievable picture:

Cobble Hill Health Center ravaged by 55 deaths, most in New York during pandemic, citing "depleted staff", "lack of communication", and "shortages". ARTICLE.

New York directs that nursing homes readmit residents with COVID-19. ARTICLE.

Governor Cumo calls New York nursing homes a "feeding frenzy". ARTICLE.

The following is a list of notable COVID-19 deaths per nursing home in New York:

Westchester County:

· Westchester Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Mount Vernon: 6 deaths

· North Westchester Restorative Therapy and Nursing Center in Mohegan Lake: 7 deaths

· Martine Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in White Plains: 10 deaths

· St Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry: 13 deaths

· The New Jewish Home, Sarah Neuman, in Mamaroneck: 14 deaths

· The Wartburg Home in Mount Vernon: 26 deaths

· Regency Extended Care Center in Yonkers: 30 deaths

Monroe County:

· St Johns Health Care Corporation in Rochester: 8 deaths

Dutchess County:

· Ferncliff Nursing Home Co Inc. in Rhinebeck: 6 deaths

Orange County:

· Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Montgomery : 10 deaths

· The Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation in Goshen: 22 deaths

Putnam County:

· Putnam Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Holmes: 6 deaths

Erie County:

· Father Baker Manor in Orchard: 6 deaths

· Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville: 9 deaths

· Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga: 11 deaths

Nassau County:

· Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing: 6 deaths

· Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation: 8 deaths

· Hempstead Park Nursing Home: 8 deaths

· Townhouse Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing: 8 deaths

· Highfield Gardens Care Center of Great Neck: 9 deaths

· The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Great Neck: 13 deaths

· White Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center: 13 deaths

· Sunharbor Manor: 16 deaths

· Central Island Healthcare: 19 deaths

· Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: 22 deaths

Suffolk County:

· Luxor Nursing and Rehabilitation at Sayville: 6 deaths

· Peconic Landing at Southold: 6 deaths

· Good Samaritan Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center: 10 deaths

· Island Nursing and Rehab Center: 10 deaths

· Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitative Care Center: 15 deaths

· Luxor Nursing and Rehabilitation at Mills Pond: 21 deaths

· Apex Rehabilitation & Care Center: 26 deaths

· Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: 29 deaths

New York City