Coronavirus Deaths Continue To Climb At UWS Nursing Homes

Upper West Side NY

05 May, 2020

3:32 PM

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UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN — The devastating toll of the coronavirus pandemic on New York City nursing homes has continued to climb in the last few weeks, including at three facilities on the Upper West Side, new data shows. An updated tally released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Monday shows that 4,813 people have died from COVID-10 in the state's nursing homes since March 1, including 1,700 previously undisclosed deaths of those who are believed to have been killed by the coronavirus before their diagnosis could be confirmed. The updated numbers added a third Upper West Side nursing home to the list of facilities hardest hit by the virus. That facility, Amsterdam Nursing Home on Amsterdam Avenue, has seen 52 coronavirus deaths, 45 of which are among the newly-reported presumed but not confirmed cases. (To keep up with coronavirus news in the Upper West Side, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.) The data also shows that deaths have continued to climb at two neighborhood nursing homes that had reported more than 20 residents who died from the virus last month. The Riverside rehab facility on Riverside Drive, which had seen 22 deaths in April, now has reported 55 deaths, 17 of which are presumed but not confirmed. The New Jewish Home on West 106th Street, which had 21 deaths in April, is now reporting 46 deaths, six of which are presumed but not confirmed. The three Upper West Side facilities are among 22 in New York that had more than 40 coronavirus deaths. The Riverside is so far the only facility to respond to a request for comment from Patch. The nursing home said that they have created a specialty unit in the facility where COVID-19 patients can recover and have all team members wearing personal protective equipment. "It is important to note that we continue to accept COVID-19 positive patients from area hospitals, which impacts and also determines the reported numbers," the facility's team said in an email. "As our community is at the forefront of care and recovery, it is our responsibility to serve and care for those in need, especially the asymptomatic COVID-19 patient population, and those at the end-of-life. " Exactly how many nursing home residents have died remains uncertain despite the state's latest disclosure, as the list doesn't include nursing home residents who were transferred to hospitals before dying. Advocacy groups for the elderly and family members of nursing home residents have called for greater transparency over COVID-19 cases at each state-regulated nursing home and criticized an April 1 state law granting some immunity to hospitals and nursing homes from civil and criminal liability. They also questioned the state's March 25 policy that says "no resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to a nursing home solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19." The governor and his administration have defended that policy as ensuring nursing home residents aren't left lingering in hospitals or without anywhere else to go. Cuomo's spokesman tweeted Monday that the policy follows federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Coronavirus In NYC: Latest Happenings And Guidance Email [email protected] to reach a Patch reporter or fill out this anonymous form to share your coronavirus stories. All messages are confidential.