NJ Changes Nursing Home Death Totals; Sen. Pennacchio Cries Foul

Eric Kiefer
·2 min read

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey has removed more than 1,400 coronavirus deaths at nursing and retirement homes from its official tally. But according to Sen. Joe Pennacchio of the 26th District, state officials “must think we’re all knuckleheads” if they don’t expect an outcry.

The senator has issued a scathing statement about the new coronavirus death total for New Jersey’s long-term care (LTC) facilities, which was lowered from 5,700 to 4,295 on Tuesday, according to a Politico report.

State health officials determined the deceased didn’t get a lab-confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19 before they passed away, a stipulation that officials will now require when they report death totals, according to Politico.

“It’s a disturbing and ineffective attempt to cover up the extent of an ongoing tragedy that has wreaked havoc in nursing homes,” Pennacchio said, blasting the new state totals. “Somebody decided to cook the books and erase the loss of [more than 1,400] precious souls.”

“They must think we’re all knuckleheads to think that New Jersey citizens wouldn’t see through this transparent scheme,” the senator added. “Do they really think we aren’t paying attention? We won’t let those who are responsible for the deadly policy mistakes hide behind a coating of white out and double-speak.”

Last week, Pennacchio called for a bipartisan investigation into the virus' devastating impact on the state's nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, which have reportedly seen about 38 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey, despite making up less than 1 percent of the state's nine million residents.

Pennacchio, a Republican, represents Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Rockaway Twp., Verona, West Caldwell and West Milford.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.

This article originally appeared on the Caldwells Patch