NEW YORK state in the United States reported more than 1,700 previously undisclosed deaths at nursing homes and adult care facilities in a tally that included for the first time people believed to have been killed by the coronavirus before their diagnoses could be confirmed. The tally, released late Monday, emerged as state officials faced scrutiny over how they have protected vulnerable residents from the coronavirus. At least 4,813 people have died from COVID-19 in the state’s nursing homes since March 1, according to the new totals. Exactly how many nursing home residents have died remains uncertain despite the disclosure. The list released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration did not include nursing home residents who were transferred to hospitals before dying. With the inclusion of the additional deaths, the state now lists 22 nursing homes as having at least 40 deaths. Most of the facilities are in New York City and on Long Island. Sixty-two nursing homes reported between 20 and 39 deaths. Parker Jewish Institute in Queens and the Isabella Geriatric Center in Manhattan are listed as having the most deaths: 71 and 64, respectively. Isabella Geriatric Center officials have said publicly that 98 residents are believed to have died, including those sent to hospitals.(SD-Agencies) |