Video At Greenwich Nursing Facility Prompts Police Response

GREENWICH, CT — A video of boxes being removed from a skilled nursing facility in Greenwich has prompted a response from police, however the facility's management said the video in question is promoting a false narrative. The video began circulating on social media Thursday, in which a woman can be heard complaining that supplies are being removed from RegalCare at Greenwich and put in the administrator's car.

At one point, the woman filming can be heard saying "they're leaving us unprotected," in reference to the boxes containing what she believes to be equipment meant to protect employees from the new coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19. An employee also attempts to stop the hand truck carrying the boxes at one point in the video.

According to Lt. Mark Zuccerella, police have looked into the situation and found there are currently "no known criminal violations" for them to investigate at the facility. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"The Greenwich Police Department is aware of a video purported to show personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies being removed from a skilled nursing facility in Greenwich," Zuccerellasaid in a statement released Friday afternoon. "It is our understanding that the management of the facility is cross-leveling supplies to other facilities they operate. This particular facility is privately owned and operated, however it is licensed by the state of Connecticut. We have advised the Connecticut Department of Public Health about the concerns as they have oversight of the facility. We have no known criminal violations for the police department to investigate, but we continue to monitor the situation."

On Friday, RegalCare posted a lengthy statement to the facility's Facebook page, in which the facility said they were aware of the video circulating online.

"We are aware that there is a video circulating showing our administrator packing some supplies in his car," RegalCare said in a statement on Facebook. "The comments on the video are completely inaccurate. Our employees hold themselves to very high standards at all times, notwithstanding during the tumultuous time of COVID-19."

The facility said the boxes contained "painting coveralls," not personal protective equipment.

"When concerns began arising about coronavirus, our extremely dedicated administrator took it upon himself to purchase extra supplies for his staff from his own personal money, out of concern that supplies would no longer be readily available," the facility said in a statement. "This was in addition to all the necessary PPE that management has been circulating throughout the building. The boxes are filled [with] painting coveralls, not PPE, as evident by the labels on them and in photos from the video...his care and commitment to his entire team of staff has been above and beyond and at all times."

The facility also said they were "absolutely astounded" at the accusations posted online.

"Our administrator has been working tirelessly around the clock to ensure the safety of his residents and employees alike," the facility said. "It saddens us to see the distortion of the truth. At this time, there are no reported cases in our facility, another untruth being spread. As always, we will be transparent about the health of our residents and provide the truth."

To read the facility's statement in full, check the RegalCare at Greenwich Facebook page.

In an update provided early Friday evening, Zuccerella said police had spoken to the facility's management.

"[Management is] adamant that they currently have more than enough PPE supplies on hand for their staff and patients," Zuccerella said in a statement. "They related that the items seen in the video were not actual PPE, but were painting coveralls that they had procured in case they could not obtain enough proper protective gowns. They reported to us that these painting coveralls remain on the property and were just being secured from being improperly used or pilfered."

Zuccerella also noted some of the dialogue concerning the situation has been "threatening and exhibiting prejudice," and asked that residents remain respectful.

"We ask that the understandable concern for our most vulnerable members of the community be expressed in a respectful manner," Zuccerella said. "As we previously mentioned, we continue to monitor the situation and consult with the appropriate state authorities. No one has been found to be at risk."

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.