The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General is opening an investigation into a Sussex County nursing home where nearly 60 residents recently died – 26 because of COVID-19.

Police say that a tip led them to find dozens of bodies piled up inside the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center. The facility stated that it had run out of body bags for the deceased.

 

“I am also outraged that the bodies of the dead were allowed to pile up in a makeshift morgue in the facility…They deserve to be cared for with respect, compassion and dignity,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday during a media briefing. “We can and must do better.”

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Sussex County officials say that 57 residents and two nurses at the facility have died as of April 15. Twenty-six of those cases were confirmed COVID-19-related deaths.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer said that he received a call from administrators at the facility over the weekend asking for more body bags. Local health officials apparently visited the facility early this week and reported that the facility was understaffed. Gottheimer says that there are many unanswered questions.

“We certainly need to look into communication with the families. A lot of the families said that they haven’t heard from the nursing home, which is outrageous,” Gottheimer says. “The question is, did they ask? Did they act quick enough? Do they follow CDC guidelines? Did the staff use protective equipment and wear a mask? …And if they were sick, were they told not to show up to work? What exactly happened?”

Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center remains open while the investigation is underway. Gottheimer says that he is working with local police to monitor the facility and to ensure staffing levels are adequate.