Brooklyn Nursing Home Records 55 Deaths In Uphill Battle Against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in the United States, with nursing homes suffering the most. In a nursing care facility in Kirkland, 43 residents died in February due to the virus. The Cobble Hill Health Center in Brooklyn now holds one of the worst death tolls so far listing 55 deaths.

CEO Donny Tuchman, according to Fox News, responded to the deaths by sending emails that tackled issues like allowing visitors, confining residents under quarantine, screening staff for signs of the virus and wiping down all surfaces clean. He even called the virus a “freight train” and requested frequent meetings to make sure everyone stays on top of the situation.

The facility, despite its supposed preparedness, had listed 55 deaths. The nursing home has become a major casualty, while the national government is struggling to contain the damage being done by COVID-19.

The number of deaths in Brooklyn nursing home also surpassed others; a nursing home outside of Richmond reported 49 deaths; there is 48 dead from the virus in Holyoke, Massachusetts; and there are at least 40 deaths each in five homes in the outer areas of New York.

The number of deaths in Brooklyn has prompted the local government to respond with “pop-up testing facilities.” According to NY Post, an urgent care testing center has been put up in Bensonhurst to test patients that might be positive with COVID-19.

Gary Schlesinger, the CEO of the urgent care clinic ParCare Community Health Network, revealed that the clinic has about 1,000 tests since Sunday. About 10% of the patients have unfortunately tested positive for the dreaded virus.

He also explained why they cannot just test anyone. The CEO said that they would rather just welcome someone with symptoms. He added that once someone shows identifiable signs of the virus, then the swabbing will occur within the tent.

In cases like Cobble Hill, where the source of the virus was not apparent right away, clinics such as the ParCare Health Network are needed more than ever. Spaces are also needed for proper quarantine, which in some nursing homes like Cobble Hill, are not available.

Relatives of those who died in the nursing home said that they don’t blame the nursing home and staff. Rather, they think that it was “dealt a bad set of cards.”