Gottheimer leads bipartisan NJ delegation request for NJDOH’s COVID-19 outbreak plan for long-term care facilities
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Tuesday led a bipartisan group of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to request that the New Jersey Department of Health provide information on the State’s plan to effectively address any current and future COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, as we enter the winter months and COVID-19 cases continue to spike.
Since March, 7,337 long-term care residents and staff have died from COVID-19, and there have been outbreaks at 1,068 long-term care facilities in New Jersey, Gottheimer said.
“As we enter the winter months, holiday season, and flu season, our collective vigilance will be more important than ever. Residents and their families deserve to know that a comprehensive plan is in place for protocols to mitigate COVID-19, including isolating positive residents, containing any potential outbreaks, and protecting all staff coming to work every day. We urge you to consider all staff and their work environments, including front-line health care workers, administrators, custodial workers, and kitchen staff,” the members wrote in a letter today to New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Additionally, the loved ones of these residents and staff deserve transparency, regular communication, assurances that personal protective equipment (PPE) is stockpiled, and the peace of mind that a plan is in place and protocols are being followed.”
The letter is signed by U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Andy Kim (NJ-3), Tom Malinowski (NJ-7), Donald Norcross (NJ-1), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Albio Sires (NJ-8), Chris Smith (NJ-4), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
