Big gaps in federal oversight of long-term care facilities for aging veterans may have contributed to rampant coronavirus infections and more than 200 deaths at state-run homes.
Every pandemic plan predicted that minority groups and vulnerable people would be the ones to get hurt the most. It took just weeks for communities of color to get hit disproportionately by COVID-19.may have contributed to rampant coronavirus infections and more than 200 deaths at state-run homes, according to a congressional watchdog agency.
She said infection control methods such as washing hands and isolating residents — a problem at Holyoke — have been among the most prevalent but also overlooked safeguards at nursing homes.At least 158 residents of the 278-bed Massachusetts facility, or 57%, have tested positive for COVID-19. At least 76 residents have died. Similar outbreaks have occurred in New Jersey, where more than 80 have died due to COVID-19, as well as Pennsylvania, more than 40, and elsewhere.
“I am not convinced they are prepared to deal with a second wave," said Paul Barabani, a former director of the Massachusetts veterans home who is now an advocate for the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition.“That is something we have not discussed,” said Jackson, when asked if her group would support the VA taking greater control. “Any death of any veteran is a tragedy and we all need to learn ... any investigation will benefit all of us.
“That said, the VA undoubtedly has a special relationship with the state veterans homes and ... given the unique circumstances, now is a good time for us to reevaluate that relationship,” he said. Boyd insisted that VA has no control over state-run facilities. She said that as early as March VA was holding town halls, providing informational checklists and other guidance to the veterans homes and ultimately sent hundreds of VA doctors and nurses to assist the state facilities.
About 40,000 residents of long-term care facilities nationwide, both veteran and non-veteran, have died of COVID-19—accounting for an estimated 40% of all coronavirus deaths in the U.S. But it's not known how many of these happened at state-run veterans homes because not all of them are required to report coronavirus infection and death rates to VA.
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