Westchester Begins Testing In Nursing Homes For Coronavirus

OSSINING, NY — As deaths due to the new coronavirus outbreak topped 400 at nursing homes and adult care facilities in Westchester, county health officials began testing at all nursing homes. As of May 3, Westchester's nursing homes and adult care facilities reported 432 people confirmed or presumed dead of COVID-19, according to the state health department.

"Nursing homes have accounted for a significant number of fatalities," said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. "Obviously, residents there have existing health care issues and that creates a climate for the worst possible scenario. Advanced age has been the single demographic that links the vast majority of COVID-19 related deaths and this is an important part of what we as the County are doing.”

According to the most recent data released by the New York state Health Department, Westchester's nursing home death toll as of May 3 was highest at the Regency Extended Care Center in Yonkers, which had 38 deaths, six confirmed and 32 presumed to be from COVID-19. The New Jewish Home, Sarah Neuman in Mamaroneck confirmed 37 deaths, and the Wartburg Home in Mount Vernon reported 21 confirmed and 13 presumed deaths from COVID-19.

Due to the challenges facing nursing homes, county officials had prepared pending approval by the state health department and were ready to get to work testing right away, Latimer said.

Westchester officials started with the Victoria Home in Ossining. As of May 3 the state reported two confirmed deaths from COVID-19 at the Victoria Home and another three deaths that are presumed related to COVID-19.

The state also provided data for the two other nursing homes in Ossining as of May 3. The Bethel Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center reported two confirmed and seven presumed dead from COVID-19. The Cedar Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center reported two confirmed and nine presumed dead.