Legislator Rath calls for independent investigation into New York State’s response to COVID-19 at nursing homes

Modified: May 27, 2020 12:04pm

05/27/2020

Erie County Legislator Ed Rath recently introduced a resolution in support of conducting an investigation into New York State’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes following a high rate of deaths and infections. The resolution received the unanimous support of the Erie County Legislature last Thursday.

New York State has seen more than 5,000 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes, while in Erie County, more than half of the COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing facilities. Many of the facilities across the state have cited concerns regarding low staffing levels and a lack of personal protective equipment. Legislator Rath’s resolution joins a bi-partisan push among state legislators in calling for an independently conducted investigation.

Legislator Rath said, “Nursing homes and adult care facilities house some of the most vulnerable population in New York State. It is deeply concerning to see the high number of deaths and infection rate among these residents.  While Governor Cuomo has directed the Attorney General’s office to investigate, it seems more appropriate to have that investigation conducted independently. We must get to the bottom of how New York State has handled the COVID-19 outbreak in these facilities, and what could have been done to prevent such an alarming number of deaths. Staff, residents, and their loved ones deserve answers.”

A copy of Legislator Rath’s resolution can be viewed here.

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