New Jersey changes way to report deaths at long-term facilities, nursing homes

New Jersey is changing the way it reports deaths at long-term facilities and nursing homes.

News 12 Staff

May 20, 2020, 10:39 AM

Updated 1,656 days ago

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New Jersey is changing the way it reports deaths at long-term facilities and nursing homes.
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Gov. Phil Murphy said at his daily briefing Tuesday that only lab-confirmed deaths will be reported.
The new standard lowers the total number of deaths at those facilities by at least 1,200.
Long-term facilities must test all their residents for the virus by Tuesday.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer has also introduced a new bill to help the long-term care facilities handle coronavirus.
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The bill includes sending strike teams to help staff control the spread. More than 5,4000 people have died from the virus in long-term care facilities across the state.

Gottheimer says, "New Jersey continues to be at the epicenter of this crisis, and our state's long-term care facilities need the proper support to fight these outbreaks. With this new bill, we are investing in strike teams to come in to help stop the spread."