NEWFANE, N.Y. — Niagara County leaders are sounding the alarm about an outbreak at the Newfane Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
County legislator John Syracuse says the recent spike in cases in the county can be traced to the nursing home, and that the state needs to step in to help protect the staff and people living there.
Separately, local State Senator Rob Ortt on Wednesday called for an independent investigation into the state's nursing home response.
The leader of the Senate Republicans wants more than just hearings when it comes to state nursing homes.
Minority Leader John Flanagan on Wednesday called for an independent investigation into nursing homes and whether they were properly protected against the virus.
In a statement, Flanagan said, “We know allowing COVID into a nursing home is an invitation for it to spread, and we need to make sure that we take the necessary steps to protect residents.”
Friday afternoon, Maximus Healthcare Group, owners of the Newfane facility, released the following statement:
To our Valued Families, Staff, and Community:
All residents and staff have been tested for COVID 19. Our residents that have tested positive were immediately moved to a designated COVID unit within our facility away from the residents that are negative. The staff members that tested positive have been closely followed by the Health Department as required. We have consistent staffing assignments in place to protect the spread of the virus. All team members have been wearing appropriate CDC approved personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure the safety of our residents, and any residents who have tested positive or have symptoms have been isolated.
Our Staff have been trained in the policies of the facility regarding use of personal protective equipment and Infection control policies.
We continue to screen all staff daily and take their temperature. We are consistently communicating with our residents’ responsible party regarding their condition. We continue to honor our residents and families wishes regarding treatment in place and/or no hospitalizations.
We are working closely with our Medical Director, Nurse Practitioners, State & local Health Department while following the CDC guidelines. Many of our staff and residents are on the road to recovery.
