COVID-19 Infection Totals, Deaths In Madison Nursing Homes

MADISON, NJ - As the COVID-19, pandemic in nursing home and long-term care facilities continues to claim more lives, Gov. Phil Murphy's administration said testing of staff and residents for COVID-19 by May 26.

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Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Tuesday news conference, said a "robust" coronavirus testing and contact tracing plan needed for reopening New Jersey's economy, he says. The plan includes testing all residents and staff at long-term care facilities. It will require all residents and staff at long-term care facilities to be tested no later than May 26, with follow-up testing happening no longer than one week later.

Previously, Murphy said the nursing home and long-term care industry have been "slow to adapt."

Pine Acres Healthcare and Rehab/Convalescent Center has 55 infections and eight deaths while Sunrise of Madison has 17 infection and four deaths.

Murphy said his administration has been leading reviews of long-term care facilities and enforcing measures to protect residents and staff. Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said her department has already curtailed visitation, enforced the notification of outbreaks and required people to wear masks.

The largest outbreak in Morris County remains at the Lincoln Park Care Center. The report shows 183 cases, up from 179, were logged there and out of those there were 56 deaths, up from 58.

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