AG: NY Undercounted Nursing Home COVID Deaths

The New York Daily News reports:

A report released Thursday by Attorney General Letitia James accuses the Cuomo administration of undercounting COVID nursing home deaths by as much as 50%. James’ office conducted a months-long investigation into the state’s handling of elder care facilities during the pandemic and how nursing homes failed to protect vulnerable seniors from the deadly virus.

“As the pandemic and our investigations continue, it is imperative that we understand why the residents of nursing homes in New York unnecessarily suffered at such an alarming rate,” James said in a statement. “While we cannot bring back the individuals we lost to this crisis, this report seeks to offer transparency that the public deserves and to spur increased action to protect our most vulnerable residents.”

Right wingers are predictably ecstatic.

Cuomo adversary, Rep. @EliseStefanik, weighs in on #COVID19 nursing home report from AG @TishJames.

""This is now more than a nursing home scandal, this is a massive corruption and coverup scandal at the highest level of New York State Government," says @RepStefanik. pic.twitter.com/e0IUQfidYG

— David Lombardo (@poozer87) January 28, 2021

“Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration did not include nursing home patients who died after being transferred to the hospital in its tally of over 8,500 nursing home deaths” https://t.co/FAKV89VSz5

— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) January 28, 2021