About 10 percent of all the COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey have been linked to nursing homes. One in particular is coming under close scrutiny, the Elizabeth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where at least 12 of 22 recent deaths have been linked to COVID-19. Of the 58 people currently living there, 16 have tested positive for the coronavirus, along with eight staff members.
Health officials in Elizabeth say they only became aware of an outbreak at the facility when Trinitas Regional Medical Center called to tell them of the inordinate number of patients with COVID-19 being admitted from the nursing home. Even family members did not know of the outbreak.
Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage says people only learned about it in the media, and that he has had people asking him on social media about the condition of relatives. He is calling for the attorney general to investigate not only this nursing home but to establish procedures and protocols for long-term care facilities to follow during the pandemic.
On March 22 the city’s health department recommended to the nursing home and the state that no new admissions to the nursing home be allowed. The state agreed with that recommendation. Bollwage says he wants the attorney general to find out whether that has indeed been the case.
State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said today that on March 6 and again on April 6 notifications were sent to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities about their responsibility under the law to have outbreak plans that include clear policies for the notification of residents, staff and family members when COVID cases have been identified in their facilities.