A recent report published by the Wall Street Journal reveals that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s closest advisors “successfully pushed” New York health officials to omit high-level data points regarding COVID-19 nursing home death reports in July. The omission of data was said to have grossly under-reported residents who died of the virus.
What Happened with COVID-19 Nursing Home Reports in NY?
The 2020 July COVID-19 nursing home report assessed factors associated with the transmission of the virus. However, investigators discovered that the statistics only represented those who died within the walls of their long-term care facilities, excluding those who had died in hospitals. Consequently, the initial public report accounted for 6,432 resident deaths, but the actual count sat at around 10,000 deaths before the revision. As of March 2021, the official death toll has reached around 15,000 deaths—nearly a 50% increase from earlier reports.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the misrepresentation of data indicates that Gov. Cuomo and state health officials “possessed a fuller accounting of out-of-facility nursing-home deaths as early as the summer.”
Following the allegations, lawmakers and several media outlets requested accurate COVID-19 death data to be released and updated, but Gov. Cuomo and his advisors rejected the inquiry for now. Gov. Cuomo faces serious backlash from the error. He admitted to his oversight but continues to support his team’s stewardship during the pandemic.
Contact an NY Nursing Home Covid Exposure or Death Lawyer
We should be able to expect clear, transparent, and up-to-date information on COVID-19 nursing home deaths. We rely on others, like those in powerful positions, to help us know what’s going on around us. Sadly, these organizations and leaders have fallen short in providing truthful and accessible statistics. If you or a loved one has felt the impact of COVID-19 while in a long-term care facility, speak to the nursing home neglect lawyers at Dalli & Marino about your situation.
At Dalli & Marino, we help get justice for nursing home residents who have been neglected and abused at the hands of others. We also help families obtain compensation after losing a loved one due to a nursing home or caregiver’s negligence. For a free case evaluation with our legal team, call (888) 465-8790 or complete our contact form today.
