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Nursing homes

Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials
Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, now’s the time to do so. New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald declared that influenza is “now prevalent” in the state on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The declaration requires healthcare workers who have not received this year’s flu vaccine to wear masks in places like hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. "Health care personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu this season need to take extra precautions and wear a mask in health care facilities, as they are exposed to sick patients and come into close contact with those most vulnerab…
COVID-19: NY Public Transit Mask Mandate To Remain In Place Despite Federal Court Ruling COVID-19: NY Public Transit Mask Mandate To Remain In Place Despite Federal Court Ruling
Covid-19: NY Public Transit Mask Mandate To Remain In Place Despite Federal Court Ruling Although a federal judge in Florida voided a nationwide mask mandate for all public transportation hubs, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that in the "short term,” facial coverings will still be required in certain settings in New York. During a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, April 20, Hochul said that people in New York will still be required to wear masks on buses, trains, and airplanes, as well as indoor transit settings, despite the federal ruling. “We are going to continue for public transit,” Hochul said. “Let's just be smart about it.” Earlier story - COVID-19: Federal Judge Stri…
COVID-19: Audit Cites 'Distortion, Suppression Of Facts' In Nursing Home Reporting Under Cuomo COVID-19: Audit Cites 'Distortion, Suppression Of Facts' In Nursing Home Reporting Under Cuomo
Covid-19: Audit Cites 'Distortion, Suppression Of Facts' In Nursing Home Reporting Under Cuomo The state Health Department intentionally “misled the public” regarding the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes under former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, according to a scathing audit from the Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept through New York, the Department of Health was not prepared to respond to the infectious disease outbreaks in nursing homes, according to the audit, which helped lead to the inaccurate virus-related death count in facilities. Auditors found that health officials undercounted the death toll in nursing homes by at le…
COVID-19: Hochul Gives Update On Status Of Remaining Mask Mandates COVID-19: Hochul Gives Update On Status Of Remaining Mask Mandates
Covid-19: Hochul Gives Update On Status Of Remaining Mask Mandates COVID-19-related mandates are slowly but surely being lifted in New York, and Gov. Kathy Hochul has provided an update on some of the remaining mask requirements. While mask mandates have been lifted statewide in most locales - most notably schools as of Wednesday, March 2 - they are still required on public transportation, inside transportation hubs, and inside certain congregate settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons until further data says it's safe to ditch them. Earlier story - COVID-19: Wearing Masks Still Recommended In These NY Counties On Monday, Feb. 28, Hoch…
$100M In Medicaid Money Going To NJ's 15 Worst Nursing Homes: Report $100M In Medicaid Money Going To NJ's 15 Worst Nursing Homes: Report
$100M In Medicaid Money Going To NJ's 15 Worst Nursing Homes: Report Shape up or ship out. That's the message New Jersey's Comptroller is sending to 15 of the state's nursing homes, cited in a new report as some of the worst. New Jersey is spending $100 million a year in Medicaid dollars on some of the state's worst nursing homes. And the 15 "one-star" homes named in Comptroller's report released Wednesday have faced little to no consequences -- until now, the organization says. If the facilities don't fix the health and safety issues that they've repeatedly been cited for, they risk being kicked off Medicaid altogether. "Continued funding of these facilit…
Former Rockland Owner Of Nursing Homes Charged In $39M Tax Dodge Former Rockland Owner Of Nursing Homes Charged In $39M Tax Dodge
Former Rockland Owner Of Nursing Homes Charged In $39M Tax Dodge An insurance broker from Rockland County who ran a nationwide network of nearly 100 nursing homes from an office over a Bergen County pizzeria ducked nearly $39 million in payroll taxes, a federal indictment unsealed on Monday, Jan. 24 alleges. Joseph Schwartz, age 62, was arrested at his Suffern home  Thursday, Jan. 20.  A federal judge in Newark released him to home confinement hours later, with conditions, pending trial. Then came the announcement on Monday, also out of Newark. Schwartz’s Skyline Healthcare LLC amassed 95 nursing homes in 11 states nationwide in less than two…
Former Rockland Owner Of Failed Nursing Homes In NJ, 11 Other States Charged In $39M Tax Dodge Former Rockland Owner Of Failed Nursing Homes In NJ, 11 Other States Charged In $39M Tax Dodge
Former Rockland Owner Of Failed Nursing Homes In NJ, 11 Other States Charged In $39M Tax Dodge An insurance broker from Rockland County who ran a failed nationwide network of nearly 100 nursing homes from an office over a Bergen County pizzeria ducked nearly $39 million in payroll taxes, a federal indictment unsealed on Monday alleges. Joseph Schwartz, 62, was arrested at his Suffern home last Thursday. A federal judge in Newark released him to home confinement hours later, with conditions, pending trial. Then came the unsealing announcement on Monday, also out of Newark. Schwartz’s Skyline Healthcare LLC amassed 95 nursing homes in 11 states nationwide in less than two years – incl…
COVID-19: New Rules For Visitors Take Effect At CT Nursing Homes COVID-19: New Rules For Visitors Take Effect At CT Nursing Homes
Covid-19: New Rules For Visitors Take Effect At CT Nursing Homes New rules are now in effect for friends and families visiting residents in Connecticut nursing homes. Beginning over the weekend, new protocols directing all nursing homes in Connecticut to require visitors to either show proof that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recently tested negative for the virus in order to enter the facilities became official. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont issued the executive order on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Specifically, when entering nursing homes, visitors must: Provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and, if eligible…
COVID-19: Hochul Announces Urgent Action Amid Concern Over New Strain Of Virus COVID-19: Hochul Announces Urgent Action Amid Concern Over New Strain Of Virus
Covid-19: Hochul Announces Urgent Action Amid Concern Over New Strain Of Virus New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced urgent new protocols to boost hospital capacity amid concern over the new COVID-19 variant and possible spikes in cases this winter.  The governor said in an announcement on Friday, Nov. 26, that the state is preparing for a potential uptick in cases, adding that the Omicron variant has not yet been detected in the state. "We've taken extraordinary action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and combat this pandemic," Hochul said. "However, we continue to see warning signs of spikes this upcoming winter, and while the new Omicron variant has yet to be …
CT Man Arrested For Making Threats To Lamont, State Police Say CT Man Arrested For Making Threats To Lamont, State Police Say
CT Man Arrested For Making Threats To Lamont, State Police Say A Connecticut man is facing charges for allegedly making online threats against Gov. Ned Lamont after receiving misinformation about COVID-19 in nursing homes, State Police announced. New London County resident Jonathan Wright, age 41, of Waterford, was arrested on a warrant on Monday, Nov. 15 after making threats on social media toward the governor in late October. Police said that Wright made multiple threatening Twitter posts in October that were directed toward Lamont. According to the arresting officer, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, Wright posted “You scum living on borrowed time. President T…
COVID-19: Eight Dead, 89 Infected In Outbreak At Connecticut Nursing Home COVID-19: Eight Dead, 89 Infected In Outbreak At Connecticut Nursing Home
Covid-19: Eight Dead, 89 Infected In Outbreak At Connecticut Nursing Home Eight residents of a Connecticut nursing home have died during a COVID-19 outbreak that has lasted nearly six weeks. A total of 89 employees and residents have tested positive since the outbreak began at the Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located in Litchfield County, in the Town of Canaan, on Thursday, Sept. 30. "Despite seeing significant numbers of residents recovering from Covid," the facility's chief executive Kevin O’Connell and nursing director Cady Bloodgood said in a statement. "testing has resulted in one additional positive case among fully vaccinated resi…
192 Vets' Home Residents, 2 Nurses Died Of COVID-19: US Justice Department Probes NJ Facilities 192 Vets' Home Residents, 2 Nurses Died Of COVID-19: US Justice Department Probes NJ Facilities
192 Vets' Home Residents, 2 Nurses Died Of Covid-19: US Justice Department Probes NJ Facilities The federal government is investigating NJ veterans homes where hundreds of veterans -- as well as nurse -- reportedly died of COVID-19. Federal investigators from the U.S. Justice Department reportedly were at veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park in Middlesex County this week, according to the Asbury Park Press.   Menlo Park had 103 resident deaths while Paramus had 89. A nurse's aide also died at each facility from the virus, according to app.com It's part part of the U.S. government's investigation into problems with health-care at nursing homes with some  of the high…
COVID-19: NY Sees Notable Increase In Vaccination Rates Among Health Care Workers COVID-19: NY Sees Notable Increase In Vaccination Rates Among Health Care Workers
Covid-19: NY Sees Notable Increase In Vaccination Rates Among Health Care Workers COVID-19 vaccination rates among health care workers across New York State increased notably in the weeks leading up to the state's mandate, according to new data released by Gov. Kathy Hochul. In August, the state announced a requirement for staff at hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, adult care facilities, and other congregate settings to get vaccinated no later than Monday, Sept. 27. Earlier coverage - COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines The day after the deadline, Hochul shared an update about the percentage of health care worker…
COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines COVID-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines
Covid-19: All NY Health Care Workers Will Be Required To Get Vaccines All health care workers in New York State will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with only limited exceptions for those with religious or medical exemptions. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that staff at hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate settings will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than Monday, Sept. 27. To date, 75 percent of the state’s estimated 450,000 hospital workers, 74 percent of the state’s 30,000 adult care facility workers, and 68 percent of the state’s 145,500 nursing home workers have compl…
Tick, Tock: Lawmakers Give Cuomo Deadline To Submit Evidence Amid Impeachment Inquiry Tick, Tock: Lawmakers Give Cuomo Deadline To Submit Evidence Amid Impeachment Inquiry
Tick, Tock: Lawmakers Give Cuomo Deadline To Submit Evidence Amid Impeachment Inquiry The clock is ticking on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the Assembly Judiciary Committee nears the conclusion of its impeachment inquiry into the embattled head of state. A new letter sent by the Committee to the governor’s counsel said that they will “soon consider potential articles of impeachment,” and his defense team has until Friday, Aug. 13 to provide any final evidence or statements to be considered as part of the probe. Related story - Calls Grow For Cuomo's Resignation Following Release Of NY AG's Sexual Harassment Report The impeachment inquiry was first launched in March, w…
COVID-19: Cuomo Responds After DOJ Announces It Won't Investigate NY Nursing Home Deaths COVID-19: Cuomo Responds After DOJ Announces It Won't Investigate NY Nursing Home Deaths
Covid-19: Cuomo Responds After DOJ Announces It Won't Investigate NY Nursing Home Deaths New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued a statement following the Justice Department's decision not to open a civil rights investigation into the state's COVID-19 response in its nursing homes. Requests for data from the nursing homes had previously been made due to questions about whether New York and other states worsened the COVID-19 death toll by requiring the facilities to accept residents who had been hospitalized for COVID-19. GOP Rep. Steve Scalise reported on Friday, July 23, that the Justice Department sent him a letter saying it would not open the investigation. 🚨🚨 BREAKING—Bi…
COVID-19: No New Cases In CT Nursing Homes For First Time Since Pandemic's Start COVID-19: No New Cases In CT Nursing Homes For First Time Since Pandemic's Start
Covid-19: No New Cases In CT Nursing Homes For First Time Since Pandemic's Start For the first time since the pandemic began, Connecticut went an entire week without a single new COVID-19 case reported in state nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Gov. Ned Lamont announced the milestone on Thursday, July 1, as Connecticut continues attempting to vaccinate every resident living in the state’s nursing homes. Since July 21 last year, the Department of Health reported 18,591 total COVID-19 cases in nursing home residents and 8,777 virus-related deaths through Tuesday, June 29. “With our nursing home residents nearly entirely vaccinated, this is more proof that vac…
COVID-19: Cuomo's Nursing Home Directive Led To Additional Deaths, New Report Says COVID-19: Cuomo's Nursing Home Directive Led To Additional Deaths, New Report Says
Covid-19: Cuomo's Nursing Home Directive Led To Additional Deaths, New Report Says Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s directive last spring to nursing homes in New York to admit COVID-19 patients led to additional deaths, according to a newly released report✎ EditSign. The New York State Bar Association Task Force on Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care released the 242-page report criticizing the governor for not reversing the March 2020 order earlier than he did. “Although a determination of the number of additional nursing home deaths is beyond the capacity of the Task Force, there are credible reviews that suggest that the directive, for the approximately six weeks, that it wa…
COVID-19: Date Announced When Mask Mandate Will Be Dropped For Vaccinated People In NY COVID-19: Date Announced When Mask Mandate Will Be Dropped For Vaccinated People In NY
Covid-19: Date Announced When Mask Mandate Will Be Dropped For Vaccinated People In NY New York will be loosening its mask and social distance guidance as it follows the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During a COVID-19 briefing at Radio City Music Hall on Monday, May 17, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that as of Wednesday, May 19, the state will be adopting new guidelines for those who are vaccinated. The new guidance from the federal government calls for continued mask-wearing in more crowded indoor spaces such as on mass transportation, hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters, but eases restrictions on workplaces, school…
COVID-19: Aide Hid Nursing Home Death Toll As Cuomo Sought $4M Book Deal, New Report Says COVID-19: Aide Hid Nursing Home Death Toll As Cuomo Sought $4M Book Deal, New Report Says
Covid-19: Aide Hid Nursing Home Death Toll As Cuomo Sought $4M Book Deal, New Report Says While his administration was working to cover up the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was working toward a multi-million dollar book deal touting his success during the pandemic, according to a new report. The New York Times reported that Cuomo's work on his book last summer, which relied on assistance from his aides and staffers, overlapped the efforts by his administration to undercount virus-related deaths in New York nursing homes in a health department report. While his aides were working on covering up nursing home deaths over the summer, Cu…
Long Island Legislator Leads State Assembly's Cuomo Investigation Long Island Legislator Leads State Assembly's Cuomo Investigation
Long Island Legislator Leads State Assembly's Cuomo Investigation A Long Island lawmaker has been tapped to run the impeachment investigation into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Last week, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced that there would be an inquiry into Cuomo, his administration, and recent allegations that have many questioning his leadership skills. The Assembly Judiciary Committee, chaired by Assemblyman Charles Lavine, a Glen Cove Democrat, has been tasked with leading that investigation. Lavine and the Judiciary Committee will be investigating claims of sexual harassment by at least seven women, as well as reports that the governor fos…
Cuomo Impeachment Investigation Will Go Beyond Sexual Harassment Allegations Cuomo Impeachment Investigation Will Go Beyond Sexual Harassment Allegations
Cuomo Impeachment Investigation Will Go Beyond Sexual Harassment Allegations As the New York State Assembly moves forward with its impeachment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo, lawmakers are advising that the scope of it will be “very broad” and will expand past just the sexual harassment claims of seven women. Last week, the Assembly voted to move forward with its investigation, which could lead to the first impeachment trial in New York in over a century. The investigation is expected to focus on the harassment allegations and the COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and subsequent attempted coverup by his administration. Lawmakers are also expected to look into a…
COVID-19: Cuomo Got Seven-Figure Advance For His Controversial Book Now Pulled From Publication COVID-19: Cuomo Got Seven-Figure Advance For His Controversial Book Now Pulled From Publication
Covid-19: Cuomo Got Seven-Figure Advance For His Controversial Book Now Pulled From Publication New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reportedly received a seven-figure advance for his much-maligned book about leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic that was written while the virus was still surging across the country. Cuomo, who has come under fire for underreporting COVID deaths in nursing homes and then attempting to have his administration cover it up, was paid handsomely for his controversial book touting the state’s response to the pandemic, according to a new Vanity Fair story. That report comes just as Crown Publishing announced it has stopped promoting and printing new copies of Cuomo'…
Cuomo Aides Doctored Documents To Hide Higher Number Of Nursing Home Deaths, New Report Says Cuomo Aides Doctored Documents To Hide Higher Number Of Nursing Home Deaths, New Report Says
Cuomo Aides Doctored Documents To Hide Higher Number Of Nursing Home Deaths, New Report Says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again making headlines for the wrong reasons, this time because his aides reportedly doctored documents to conceal the number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes at the height of the pandemic. It is alleged in a New York Times report that Cuomo’s aides rewrote a report from state health officials to conceal the true number of COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes while strengthening his reputation as a leader. According to the report, Cuomo’s aides rewrote the report before it went public to omit 9,250 deaths that were recorded by the state Health Department, prompt…
New Poll: Cuomo Should Not Seek Fourth Term, NYers Say, Amid New Democratic Calls To Resign New Poll: Cuomo Should Not Seek Fourth Term, NYers Say, Amid New Democratic Calls To Resign
New Poll: Cuomo Should Not Seek Fourth Term, NYers Say, Amid New Democratic Calls To Resign As embattled Gov. Andrew Cuomo navigates his way through multiple crises, many New Yorkers are calling for him to back off and not seek a fourth term in office next year, according to a new poll. A new Emerson College poll found that more than 64 percent of voters think Cuomo should not seek a fourth term, with Democrats split down the middle on the issue. After seeing his approval rating surge during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the poll found that it is down to 38.4 percent, with 47.8 percent disapproving, and 13.8 unsure whether they approve of Cuomo. Just 36 percent of those po…
COVID-19: Here Are Testing Restrictions In Place As New York Resumes Nursing Home Visits COVID-19: Here Are Testing Restrictions In Place As New York Resumes Nursing Home Visits
Covid-19: Here Are Testing Restrictions In Place As New York Resumes Nursing Home Visits Nursing homes in New York will resume indoor visitation this week with certain testing restrictions in place depending on the county’s progress in combating COVID-19. Testing will not be required in counties with a positivity rate below 5 percent, while rapid testing will be required for any visitors in counties with a positivity rate between 5 percent and 10 percent. Regular visitation will not be allowed in counties with a positivity rate above 10 percent. Visits will also only be permitted at nursing homes that go 14 days without a COVID-19 case inside the facility within staff or resid…
COVID-19: CT Sees 35 New Virus-Related Deaths; New Breakdown By County, Community COVID-19: CT Sees 35 New Virus-Related Deaths; New Breakdown By County, Community
Covid-19: CT Sees 35 New Virus-Related Deaths; New Breakdown By County, Community With more Nutmeggers becoming eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Connecticut continues to see a decrease in deaths and positive cases. Over the weekend, 86,401 COVID-19 tests were administered in Connecticut, resulting in 2,233 newly confirmed cases for a 2.58 percent positive infection rate. According to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, there were 39 new COVID-19 fatalities reported over the weekend, bringing the death toll to 7,562 in Connecticut since the pandemic began. Thirty-five COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connecticut hospitals, bringing the total to 500 still being tr…
COVID-19: Yale New Haven Health Opens Vaccination Site In Fairfield County COVID-19: Yale New Haven Health Opens Vaccination Site In Fairfield County
Covid-19: Yale New Haven Health Opens Vaccination Site In Fairfield County With additional allocations expected from the federal government, a new COVID-19 vaccination site has been opened in Fairfield County. Yale New Haven Health announced that it has opened a new vaccination clinic at its Brunswick School on King Street in Greenwich. The clinic will administer vaccinations to eligible Connecticut residents who make an appointment. Anyone who is ineligible or doesn’t have an appointment will be turned away at the site. Currently, those eligible for the vaccine include healthcare personnel, long-term care facility residents, first responders, and Connecticut re…
COVID-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure COVID-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure
Covid-19: Cuomo Calls For Nursing Home Reform Amid Federal Probe, Increasing Pressure With pressure coming from both sides of the aisle into investigating New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of nursing homes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has vowed sweeping reform as part of the 30-day amendments. Cuomo announced reforms to improve the health, quality of life, and safety of nursing home residents to ensure that “facilities prioritize patient care over profits.” “You can’t say to a nursing home that ‘either you can buy new beds, or you can make more money,' " Cuomo said during a COVID-19 briefing on Friday, Feb. 19. “It’s not a matter of hiring more staff or …
COVID-19: CT Sees 20 New Virus-Related Deaths; New Breakdown By County, Community COVID-19: CT Sees 20 New Virus-Related Deaths; New Breakdown By County, Community
Covid-19: CT Sees 20 New Virus-Related Deaths; New Breakdown By County, Community Nearly two dozen new COVID-19-related fatalities were reported in Connecticut, though the positive infection rate continues inching closer to 2 percent as the state recovering from the recent surge of the virus. Gov. Ned Lamont said that there were 27,015 COVID-19 tests administered in Connecticut on Wednesday, Feb. 17, resulting in 547 positive cases for a 2.02 percent positivity rate, one of the lowest since before Thanksgiving. Twenty new virus-related deaths were reported, bringing the total to 7,496 since the pandemic began. Sixteen more COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connectic…
COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe
Covid-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe The heat is on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he attempts to counter the fallout from both sides of the aisle over his handling of COVID-19 cases in the state’s nursing homes. Some state Democrats have joined in the cacophony of Republican voices expressing outrage over Cuomo’s administration underreporting and subsequent coverup of COVID-19-related nursing home deaths in New York. The federal government is now planning to launch a probe into the scandal that has turned Cuomo from an Emmy award-winning national figure touted for his daily COVID-19 briefings complete with power-point slides …