Some NY nursing homes proved helpless in face of virus surge

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — As the coronavirus made an end-of-the-year surge across New York, few nursing homes escaped unscathed. But some proved especially helpless at stopping the spread of COVID-19, despite having nine months to stockpile protective equipment and refine preventative measures.

At least 15 homes each saw at least 30 patients die between November and early February, with most of the deaths occurring in a matter of weeks, recently released public records show. Seven homes had more than 40 patients die, a tally that does not include specialized nursing homes that treat only COVID-19 patients.

The unusually swift and deadly outbreaks stand out in a state where the great majority of nursing homes reported fatalities in the single digits during that time period.

The Commons on St. Anthony, a 300-bed home in Auburn, was among those hit hardest. It held the virus at bay for months, making it to Christmas Day without a single COVID-19 death. But by the end of January, the disease had claimed 57 lives — just as vaccinations were beginning.

Nursing homes had nearly a year to refine visitation policies, ramp up testing programs and hone infection-control practices. Yet the virus still got into facilities like the Commons, where 90-year-old Constance Cuddy, a former nurse being treated for Alzheimer’s disease, died Jan. 17 from COVID-19 complications, according to her family.

“She worked hard her whole life,” said Cuddy’s daughter, Jody Courtemanche. “And I just wish that she could have gone on her own terms when she was ready to go, and not have COVID come in and grab her.”

Until recently, the full extent of New York’s surge was partially obscured because Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration did not disclose data on thousands of nursing home residents who died outside of their facilities, a scandal...