Cuomo insists state didn’t cover up deaths

Cuomo insists state didn’t cover up deaths

FILE — In this Sept. 14, 2018 file photo, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, is joined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as she speaks to reporters during a news conference, in New York. De Rosa, Cuomo's top aide, told top Democrats frustrated with the administration's long-delayed release of data about nursing home deaths that the administration "froze" over worries about what information was "going to be used against us," according to a Democratic lawmaker who attended the Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 meeting and a partial transcript provided by the governor's office. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Under fire over his management of the coronavirus’ lethal path through New York’s nursing homes, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is insisting the state didn’t cover up deaths. But he acknowledged Monday that officials should have moved faster to release some information sought by lawmakers, the public and the press. The Democrat said at a virtual news conference that deaths in nursing homes and hospitals were always “fully, publicly and accurately reported.” Cuomo has seen his image as a pandemic-taming leader dented by a series of disclosures involving nursing homes in recent weeks. He said he would propose reforms involving nursing homes and hospitals in the upcoming state budget.

Photo:FILE — In this Sept. 14, 2018 file photo, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, is joined by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as she speaks to reporters during a news conference, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)