Gov. Phil Murphy says he is sending 120 members of the National Guard this weekend to nursing homes hit hard by the coronavirus.

 

The governor didn’t say what exactly the troops would be doing, but says nurses and other staff need some relief.

Gov. Murphy didn't say which long-term health care facilities, only that the help is needed. 

The news comes as a new federal report says one of the facilities in Sussex County was not in compliance with federal requirements.

 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report cited the Andover Subacute and Rehab Center for a number of issues and failures to keep its residents safe. At least 67 coronavirus-related deaths are linked to the long-term care facility.

The facility has to pay $220,000 in fines and has 10 days to submit a plan of correction.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer has been spearheading efforts to get more help for these facilities.

In a statement, he says in part, “The loss of life and the circumstances that so many of the residents faced are a complete tragedy. We will not beat this virus and flatten the curve if the coronavirus is able to continue to spread like wildfire in our long-term care facilities."