Local elected officials are seeking a full investigation after reports surfaced that as many as 98 residents died of COVID-19 at Isabella Geriatric Center in Washington Heights.
A NY1 report on April 30 revealed that 98 residents at the 705-bed nursing home had passed away since the start of the pandemic. The deceased — which account for almost 14 percent of residents — either tested positive for COVID-19 or were suspected to have the virus.
On May 1, elected officials gathered outside the facility, which is run by nonprofit health system MJHS, to address the fatalities.
“We have said since the beginning of this pandemic that the city and the state need to work together to ensure that all nursing home centers have the resources and the supplies they need to prevent the spread of the virus,” said City Councilmember Ydanis Rodríguez. “The Isabella nursing home has been pleading for more protective equipment, increase in staffing, and access to testing for their seniors.”
Officials also questioned why the suspected death toll at Isabella is much higher than had been reported to the state.
According to the state Department of Health’s website, 13 coronarvirus deaths had occurred at Isabella as of May 1.
Read more: Nearly 100 coronavirus deaths at Isabella: report | Manhattan Times
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