Officials Confirm Positive COVID Test At Paramus Veterans Home

PARAMUS, NJ — The Paramus Veterans Home has one active case of the coronavirus, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs confirmed Tuesday.

According to documents obtained by Northjersey.com, at least 60 residents were tested for COVID-19, but the spokesperson did not confirm that number in a Tuesday afternoon email.

The positive test was recorded on Oct.25. According to the NJDMVA spokesperson, the resident was moved to a separate unit.

Though no one else is in that unit, the roommate of the resident who tested positive has also been moved to a private room as a precaution, according to the NJDMVA.

The positive test has caused adjustment to everyday life at the home, as visitation is currently suspended, and dining rooms are closed, with meals being delivered to individual rooms.

Staff are also taking additional precautionary measures by "using PPE, N-95 mask, gloves isolation gowns and eye protection to prevent the spread of this virus," the spokesperson said.

This news comes after a leadership shakeup at state-run veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park earlier this month.

Embattled Paramus Veterans Home CEO Matthew Schottlander and Menlo Park CEO Elizabeth Schiff Heedles are no longer in those roles, according to a news release from Gov. Phil Murphy, at the time.

Though Murphy didn't specifically indicate why the moves were made, they followed a series of damning revelations from the veterans homes.

In August, Northjersey.com reported that federal inspectors determined the home's coronavirus response was so riddled with negligence and incompetence that all residents and staff were found to be in "immediate jeopardy" of contracting COVID-19.

Emails from the report showed Schottlander actively tried to dismiss staff concerns which would keep them away from the home, which had become overrun by the virus, according to Northjersey.com.

In total, 89 residents of the home died from the coronavirus, and over 200 residents and staff tested positive for the virus.