Cuomo confirms state under-reported COVID nursing home deaths

Cuomo confirms state under-reported COVID nursing home deaths

FILE - In this March 31, 2020 file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks about the $175.5 billion state budget during a news conference in the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Spending cuts are compounding for schools and state programs, reserve funds are dwindling, and some governors have begun proposing new taxes and fees to shore up state finances shaken by the coronavirus pandemic. With Congress deadlocked over a new coronavirus relief package, many states haven't had the luxury of waiting to see whether more federal money will come their way. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration confirmed Thursday that thousands more nursing home residents died of COVID-19 than the state’s official tallies had previously acknowledged. The surprise development, after months of the state refusing to divulge the true numbers, showed at least 12,743 long-term care residents died of the virus, far greater than the official tally of 8,505. The release came after a report by state Attorney General Letitia James found the death count could be off by 50% because New York is one of the only states to count just those who died on nursing home grounds.

Photo: FILE – In this March 31, 2020 file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at a news conference in the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)