Some NY nursing homes proved helpless in face of virus surge
4 years ago

Some NY nursing homes proved helpless in face of virus surge

Associated Press  

ALBANY, N.Y. — As the coronavirus made an end-of-the-year surge across New York, few nursing homes escaped unscathed. Yet the virus still got into facilities like the Commons, where 90-year-old Constance Cuddy, a former nurse being treated for Alzheimer’s disease, died Jan. 17 from COVID-19 complications, according to her family. The Elcor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, about 60 miles south of the Commons, had 62 residents die from November through early February, despite precautions that included sanitizing arriving mail, administrator Edward Linsler said. Loretto spokesperson Julie Sheedy said “out of control” spread of the virus in the surrounding community overwhelmed the nursing home’s defenses. The mother of 10, who was “always busy” even past the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, died of COVID-19 complications Jan. 12, said her daughter Theresa Smithler.

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History of this topic

GOP-led House panel to refer former NY Gov. Cuomo to DOJ for potential prosecution over report on Covid nursing home deaths
4 months, 3 weeks ago

GOP-led House panel to refer former NY Gov. Cuomo to DOJ for potential prosecution over report on Covid nursing home deaths

CNN  

CNN — The Republican-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Thursday morning will send a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland referring a potential criminal case involving former New York Democratic Gov. At issue is Cuomo’s truthfulness regarding his role in the writing and review of a state health department report from June 2020 that underestimated the …

Cuomo defends COVID-19 nursing home decisions in combative House committee hearing
6 months, 1 week ago

Cuomo defends COVID-19 nursing home decisions in combative House committee hearing

Hindustan Times  

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced blistering criticism in an often combative congressional subcommittee hearing Tuesday over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during the time when the virus was spreading through nursing homes. Cuomo defends COVID-19 nursing home decisions in combative House committee hearing Republicans who questioned the Democrat zeroed in on a controversial directive his administration issued …

Cuomo testifies before House committee that accused him of COVID-19 cover up
6 months, 1 week ago

Cuomo testifies before House committee that accused him of COVID-19 cover up

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Andrew Cuomo began testifying publicly Tuesday before a …

Nursing home oversight would be tightened under a bill passed in Massachusetts
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Nursing home oversight would be tightened under a bill passed in Massachusetts

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Massachusetts’ oversight of nursing homes would be strengthened, LGBTQ+ nursing home residents would be protected against discrimination, and better controls would be in place to protect against the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, under a new bill lawmakers passed this week. Approved on Thursday, the bill would require long-term care facilities to provide staff training on the rights …

Independent report criticizes Cuomo’s ‘top-down’ management of New York’s COVID-19 response
9 months, 1 week ago

Independent report criticizes Cuomo’s ‘top-down’ management of New York’s COVID-19 response

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — An investigation into New York’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic found former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “top down” approach of dictating public health policy through his office, rather than coordinating with state and local agencies, sewed confusion during the crisis. The report said the state’s existing emergency plans and policies, based on experiences with events like Hurricane Sandy, …

As COVID infections rise, nursing homes are still waiting for vaccines
1 year, 5 months ago

As COVID infections rise, nursing homes are still waiting for vaccines

Salon  

DALLAS CENTER, Iowa — "Covid is not pretty in a nursing home," said Deb Wityk, a 70-year-old retired massage therapist who lives in one called Spurgeon Manor, in rural Iowa. "There's very little time, given how many nursing home workers work multiple jobs." "There's very little time, given how many nursing home workers work multiple jobs," she said. Swati Gaur, …

New Jersey failed veterans in state-run homes hit by dozens of COVID-19 deaths, federal report says
1 year, 6 months ago

New Jersey failed veterans in state-run homes hit by dozens of COVID-19 deaths, federal report says

Associated Press  

TRENTON, N.J. — Widespread dysfunction at two of New Jersey’s state-run veterans homes left them unprepared to protect residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and still persists, a scathing report by the U.S Justice Department found Thursday. It said poor communication, lack of staff competency and other issues led to the coronavirus spreading “virtually unchecked throughout the facilities.” Among the findings: …

US will regulate nursing home staffing for first time, but proposal lower than many advocates hoped
1 year, 6 months ago

US will regulate nursing home staffing for first time, but proposal lower than many advocates hoped

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The federal government will, for the first time, dictate staffing levels at nursing homes, the Biden administration said Friday, responding to systemic problems bared by mass COVID-19 deaths. “I would caution anyone who thinks that the status quo — in which there is no federal floor for nursing home staffing — is preferable to the standards we’re …

Care homes locking down over flu and norovirus, relatives claim
2 years, 3 months ago

Care homes locking down over flu and norovirus, relatives claim

The Telegraph  

Care home providers have been accused of flouting official guidance by going into lockdown over outbreaks of flu and norovirus, The Telegraph can reveal. One relative, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was banned from seeing her 99-year-old mother, who she spends two hours feeding every day, for almost two weeks following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting at …

Nursing home residents at risk as Covid infections rise 23%
2 years, 5 months ago

Nursing home residents at risk as Covid infections rise 23%

Dutch News  

The number of nursing home residents testing positive for coronavirus rose by 23% over the past week and hospital admissions are also rising, public health institute RIVM said in its Tuesday update. ‘Coronavirus can spread quickly in an open society without far reaching measures,’ the RIVM said. The number of coronavirus particles in waste water shot up 75% over the …

Nursing home residents at risk as Covid infections rise 23%
2 years, 5 months ago

Nursing home residents at risk as Covid infections rise 23%

Dutch News  

The number of nursing home residents testing positive for coronavirus rose by 23% over the past week and hospital admissions are also rising, public health institute RIVM said in its Tuesday update. ‘Coronavirus can spread quickly in an open society without far reaching measures,’ the RIVM said. The number of coronavirus particles in waste water shot up 75% over the …

Government to rely on antivirals to protect against winter wave of COVID in aged care, as defence support ends
2 years, 8 months ago

Government to rely on antivirals to protect against winter wave of COVID in aged care, as defence support ends

ABC  

Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells says the government has come up with a plan to protect aged care residents from the COVID wave set to sweep the country. Key points: More than 800 aged care homes are facing COVID outbreaks The government hopes supplies of antivirals will protect residents through winter Defence personnel will exit the sector next month …

With nursing home staff lagging on booster shot uptake, experts fear new outbreaks among seniors
2 years, 10 months ago

With nursing home staff lagging on booster shot uptake, experts fear new outbreaks among seniors

Salon  

Rising cases of COVID-19 have driven up hospitalizations across the country — and experts expect higher mortality to follow, particularly in nursing homes, where the risk of adverse outcomes remains high. In nursing homes, the surprising number of employees and residents who remain without booster shots could have serious consequences as COVID-19 cases continue to spike. "Low booster rates among …

I Work In A Nursing Home. The Horrors I've Seen During COVID Continue To Haunt Me.
3 years ago

I Work In A Nursing Home. The Horrors I've Seen During COVID Continue To Haunt Me.

Huff Post  

This essay is part of “Survive. That was awful, of course, but I can’t imagine the suffering of the people whose family members were stuck in a room in a nursing home, or a hospital, without being able to hold their hand and say goodbye. It’s taken time for me to be able to say this, but I’m glad my …

Is NYC ready to move on from COVID? Depends on who you ask
3 years ago

Is NYC ready to move on from COVID? Depends on who you ask

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — From the frightening, grief-filled early days of the pandemic until perhaps even now, a return to normalcy seemed so out of reach in New York City, where people kept breathing through masks and avoiding indoor gatherings even as other places abandoned COVID-19 safety protocols. “There are peer pressure issues that we all know exist in school,” she …

Biden to launch ambitious overhaul of nursing home quality
3 years ago

Biden to launch ambitious overhaul of nursing home quality

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will use his State of the Union speech to launch a major overhaul of nursing home quality, including minimum staffing levels and steps to beef up inspections while continuing to keep COVID-19 at bay. “Despite the tens of billions of federal taxpayer dollars flowing to nursing homes each year, too many continue to provide poor, …

A 'silent disaster' took place in nursing homes when Covid-19 hit: OVV
3 years, 1 month ago

A 'silent disaster' took place in nursing homes when Covid-19 hit: OVV

Dutch News  

The Netherlands was not sufficiently prepared for a major infectious disease outbreak when the coronavirus pandemic hit, the Dutch safety board OVV said on Wednesday, in the first of three reports on the crisis. The subsequent focus on ‘combating an infectious disease’ meant that other interests – nursing homes, education, cultural institutions, and small and medium-sized businesses – were not …

A 'silent disaster' took place in nursing homes when Covid-19 hit: OVV
3 years, 1 month ago

A 'silent disaster' took place in nursing homes when Covid-19 hit: OVV

Dutch News  

The Netherlands was not sufficiently prepared for a major infectious disease outbreak when the coronavirus pandemic hit, the Dutch safety board OVV said on Wednesday, in the first of three reports on the crisis. The subsequent focus on ‘combating an infectious disease’ meant that other interests – nursing homes, education, cultural institutions, and small and medium-sized businesses – were not …

Optimism at L.A. County’s nursing homes as coronavirus surge declines
3 years, 1 month ago

Optimism at L.A. County’s nursing homes as coronavirus surge declines

LA Times  

“The extraordinarily high case rate has not caused a similar high increase in deaths among residents compared to our previous surges. We attribute these lower numbers to very high vaccination rates amongst nursing home residents,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. Los Angeles County’s nursing homes have observed an extraordinary increase in coronavirus case rates during the Omicron …

The nursing home staffing crisis right now is like nothing we've seen before
3 years, 2 months ago

The nursing home staffing crisis right now is like nothing we've seen before

NPR  

The nursing home staffing crisis right now is like nothing we've seen before Enlarge this image toggle caption Seth Wenig/AP Seth Wenig/AP The omicron wave is hitting nursing homes hard, with infections among residents and staff reaching record highs in recent weeks. "What we've learned with the pandemic is that when there are large of COVID cases in the general …

COVID cases and deaths are rising again at U.S. nursing homes
3 years, 2 months ago

COVID cases and deaths are rising again at U.S. nursing homes

LA Times  

COVID-19 infections are soaring again at U.S. nursing homes because of the Omicron wave, and deaths are climbing too, leading to new restrictions on family visits and a renewed push to get more residents and staff members vaccinated and boosted. Nursing homes reported a near-record of about 32,000 COVID-19 cases among residents in the week ending Jan. 9, an almost …

COVID deaths and cases are rising again at US nursing homes
3 years, 2 months ago

COVID deaths and cases are rising again at US nursing homes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Nursing homes reported a near-record of about 32,000 COVID-19 …

COVID deaths and cases are rising again at US nursing homes
3 years, 2 months ago

COVID deaths and cases are rising again at US nursing homes

Associated Press  

COVID-19 infections are soaring again at U.S. nursing homes because of the omicron wave, and deaths are climbing too, leading to new restrictions on family visits and a renewed push to get more residents and staff members vaccinated and boosted. Nursing homes reported a near-record of about 32,000 COVID-19 cases among residents in the week ending Jan. 9, an almost …

Families struggle to get COVID tests to visit loved ones in nursing and senior homes
3 years, 2 months ago

Families struggle to get COVID tests to visit loved ones in nursing and senior homes

LA Times  

Karen Klink sits next to a sign she used in a protest when it was hard to visit her mother in a memory care facility during a lockdown due to COVID-19 in late 2020. Late last month, as coronavirus cases were skyrocketing, the state declared that nursing homes and other care facilities must require a negative test for COVID-19 for …

‘Care home residents were 18 times more likely to die than those at home’
3 years, 2 months ago

‘Care home residents were 18 times more likely to die than those at home’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Care home residents were almost 20 times more likely to …

2021 Notebook: The scandals that took down Andrew Cuomo
3 years, 3 months ago

2021 Notebook: The scandals that took down Andrew Cuomo

Associated Press  

THE BACKGROUND: New York Gov. In January, the state’s attorney general issued a report confirming that thousands more people had died of COVID-19 in New York’s nursing homes than Cuomo’s administration had previously acknowledged. THE WOMEN: In 2020, with the COVID pandemic, Cuomo became this huge, internationally known figure leading New York’s response, and he was holding daily press conferences …

Latest COVID spike isn’t swamping NYC hospitals like before
3 years, 3 months ago

Latest COVID spike isn’t swamping NYC hospitals like before

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Soaring COVID-19 case numbers, long testing lines and event cancellations might feel a bit like déjà vu, but so far New York City hospitals aren’t seeing a repeat of the surges that swamped emergency rooms early in the pandemic. The state reported Saturday that nearly 22,000 people had tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday — eclipsing the …

Covid deaths in nursing homes back to pre-vaccines 2nd wave level, expert says
3 years, 3 months ago

Covid deaths in nursing homes back to pre-vaccines 2nd wave level, expert says

NL Times  

One in five vaccinated nursing home residents who contracted the coronavirus in recent months has died. This autumn, the total number of infections in nursing homes was considerably lower than last autumn, during the second wave. "We've known from the start that vaccines are not 100 percent effective," said the professor, who is also a member of the Outbreak Management …

COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in New York
3 years, 4 months ago

COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in New York

Associated Press  

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York is continuing to see an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in November as the holiday season approaches, according to the latest state data released Saturday. “There is one simple solution to ensure New Yorkers can enjoy a safe holiday season - get vaccinated if you haven’t already and get a booster shot if you …

Care homes treated as ‘afterthought’ during first wave of pandemic, finds report
3 years, 5 months ago

Care homes treated as ‘afterthought’ during first wave of pandemic, finds report

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A joint inquiry by the Science and Technology Committee and the Health and Social …

The country just surpassed 700,000 Covid-19 deaths
3 years, 5 months ago

The country just surpassed 700,000 Covid-19 deaths

CNN  

CNN — The US surpassed 700,000 deaths from Covid-19 on Friday, 108 days after the country reached 600,000 deaths from the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Through Day 29, no deaths were reported in patients who received molnupiravir, as compared to 8 deaths in patients who received placebo.” Merck said it will seek FDA emergency use authorization …

The Push For Nursing Home Reform In The Middle Of A Pandemic : 1A
3 years, 6 months ago

The Push For Nursing Home Reform In The Middle Of A Pandemic : 1A

NPR  

The Push For Nursing Home Reform In The Middle Of A Pandemic Enlarge this image toggle caption Hugh Hastings/Getty Images Hugh Hastings/Getty Images According to AARP, at least 186,000 nursing home residents and staff have died from COVID-19. For many, the pandemic has exposed cracks in our long-term care system — such as staffing shortages and unenforced rules. Aging adults …

Victorian nurse speaks of harrowing experiences in hospitals inundated with COVID-19 patients
3 years, 6 months ago

Victorian nurse speaks of harrowing experiences in hospitals inundated with COVID-19 patients

ABC  

A Western Health nurse working on the frontline sent an impassioned plea to Victorians at Monday's COVID-19 press conference, urging people to get vaccinated to protect the community. Key points: Kylie Fisher worries her team of nurses face a repeat of last year's COVID-19 emergency She urges those who are not vaccinated to make an appointment and get the jab …

Nursing home overhaul bill would boost staffing, oversight
3 years, 7 months ago

Nursing home overhaul bill would boost staffing, oversight

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Responding to the ravages of COVID-19 in nursing homes, senior Democratic senators Tuesday introduced legislation to increase nurse staffing, improve infection control and bolster inspections. Separately, President Joe Biden is seeking $400 billion to expand home and community based care as an alternative to nursing homes in the giant domestic agenda bill Democrats are pushing in Congress. “These …

DOJ won’t investigate how Pennsylvania handled nursing homes
3 years, 8 months ago

DOJ won’t investigate how Pennsylvania handled nursing homes

Associated Press  

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Justice Department told Gov. Tom Wolf’s office on Thursday that it has decided not to open an investigation into whether Pennsylvania violated federal law by ordering nursing homes to accept residents who had been treated for COVID-19 in a hospital. The letter comes 11 months after the department told the governors of Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey …

Victorian COVID-19 review finds 277 instances of patients catching virus in hospital
3 years, 8 months ago

Victorian COVID-19 review finds 277 instances of patients catching virus in hospital

ABC  

Victorian woman Jennifer Allison says watching her mother Lily dying after she contracted COVID-19 in hospital was traumatic. Key points: The Department of Health report found COVID-19 spread at 30 hospitals, mostly in outbreak hotspots in Melbourne's north and west Shared rooms, limited ventilation, unrecognised infections and high-risk behaviours including patient wandering were noted as risk factors The report noted …

Watchdog: Nursing home deaths up 32% in 2020 amid pandemic
3 years, 9 months ago

Watchdog: Nursing home deaths up 32% in 2020 amid pandemic

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Deaths among Medicare patients in nursing homes soared by 32% last year, with two devastating spikes eight months apart, a government watchdog reported Tuesday in the most comprehensive look yet at the ravages of COVID-19 among its most vulnerable victims. The report from the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services found that about 4 …

For the first time no new coronavirus infections or deaths in nursing homes
3 years, 9 months ago

For the first time no new coronavirus infections or deaths in nursing homes

NL Times  

No new coronavirus infections or deaths were registered in the past 24 hours in nursing homes, NU.nl wrote on Saturday evening. It is the first time since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 the number of infections and coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes was zero, the Ministry of Health confirmed. In the regular nursing ward, the number of …

New COVID-19 cases plummet at Louisiana’s nursing homes
3 years, 10 months ago

New COVID-19 cases plummet at Louisiana’s nursing homes

Associated Press  

— Louisiana’s nursing homes, once the deadly epicenters of the state’s coronavirus outbreak, have seen new cases of COVID-19 plummet at their facilities this year as most of the facilities’ residents have gotten vaccinated. It’s the seventh week in which Louisiana’s approximately 275 nursing homes reported fewer than 30 new cases, according to state data. Inside the facilities, the change …

Coronavirus cases and IC patients up, virus declining in nursing homes
4 years ago

Coronavirus cases and IC patients up, virus declining in nursing homes

Dutch News  

More than 5,000 coronavirus cases were recorded in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning while the seven-day average continues to hover around the 4,500 mark. The latest figures from the public health agency RIVM also showed the number of patients in intensive care increased by four to 560, almost its highest level for a month. The number of confirmed cases …

Covid restrictions in nursing homes may be relaxed on Monday: Report
4 years ago

Covid restrictions in nursing homes may be relaxed on Monday: Report

NL Times  

The cabinet may announce as early as Monday that several corona measures in nursing homes will no longer apply or become more flexible. The Outbreak Management Team is examining the issue whether relaxation in nursing homes is already possible, now that most people there have received an injection against the coronavirus. “We certainly want to offer the relief of measures …

NY officials altered count of COVID nursing home deaths: Reports
4 years ago

NY officials altered count of COVID nursing home deaths: Reports

Al Jazeera  

Top aides to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo altered a state health department report to obscure the true number of people killed by COVID-19 in the state’s nursing homes, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported. The aides, including the secretary to the governor, Melissa DeRosa, allegedly pushed state health officials to edit the July report so …

N.Y. officials altered report to hide true count of nursing home COVID deaths, reports say
4 years ago

N.Y. officials altered report to hide true count of nursing home COVID deaths, reports say

LA Times  

Families of COVID-19 victims who died in nursing homes protest New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo altered a state Health Department report to hide the true number of people who died of COVID-19 in the state’s nursing homes, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported late Thursday. The aides, including the secretary to the governor, Melissa DeRosa, pushed …

Coronavirus cases below weekly average, sharp drop in nursing home deaths
4 years ago

Coronavirus cases below weekly average, sharp drop in nursing home deaths

Dutch News  

The number of positive coronavirus tests on Thursday fell below the weekly average, while hospital and intensive care admissions were also down. In the 24 hours to 10am another 4,161 cases were recorded by the public health agency RIVM, more than 900 fewer than on Wednesday and 17% below last Thursday’s figure. Another 135 patients were admitted to hospital, with …

COVID-related nursing home deaths in Pennsylvania fuel blame
4 years ago

COVID-related nursing home deaths in Pennsylvania fuel blame

Associated Press  

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania on Thursday used a hearing to ask Gov. Tom Wolf’s top health official whether it was a mistake to order COVID-19 patients to be readmitted to nursing homes, although it is far from clear that the policy led to an outbreak or death. Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny, repeated that claim — that the …

US tops 500,000 virus deaths, matching the toll of 3 wars
4 years, 1 month ago

US tops 500,000 virus deaths, matching the toll of 3 wars

Associated Press  

The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. topped 500,000 Monday, a staggering number that all but matches the number of Americans killed in World War II, Korea and Vietnam combined. “We have to resist viewing each life as a statistic or a blur.” The half-million milestone, as recorded by Johns Hopkins University, comes as states redouble efforts to get the …

Cuomo vows to “call out” criticism of nursing home response
4 years, 1 month ago

Cuomo vows to “call out” criticism of nursing home response

Associated Press  

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his health commissioner offered a full-throated defense Friday of their March decision to require nursing homes to accept patients recovering from COVID-19, saying it was the best option at the time to help free up desperately needed beds at the state’s hospitals. Questions also go back months about whether the state made a …

The Toll Of COVID-19 In Assisted Living Homes Is A ‘Black Hole’
4 years, 1 month ago

The Toll Of COVID-19 In Assisted Living Homes Is A ‘Black Hole’

Huff Post  

"I don’t think we’ve really understood the suffering of our elders yet," said a former longtime operator of elder care facilities. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes share unique vulnerabilities to COVID-19, like elderly residents living close together, and underpaid, overworked staff who care for many residents at once while shuttling between multiple jobs. But there’s a key difference in …

Cuomo defends handling of nursing homes Covid tragedy
4 years, 1 month ago

Cuomo defends handling of nursing homes Covid tragedy

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “New York was ground zero for Covid, and nursing homes were and still are …

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