Fact Check: Cuomo's administration undercounted Covid-19 nursing home deaths by up to 50%.

Fact Check: "Cuomo's administration undercounted Covid-19 nursing home deaths by up to 50%"

What We Know

The claim that Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths by as much as 50% is supported by a report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James on January 28, 2021. This report indicated that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) had significantly underreported the number of COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents. The investigations revealed that many nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 were not included in the official death toll because they had been transferred to hospitals before passing away. The report suggested that the actual number of deaths could be undercounted by approximately 50% (Attorney General James Releases Report on Nursing Homes, source-1).

Further corroboration comes from a criminal referral made by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which stated that Cuomo's administration knowingly made false statements regarding the nursing home death toll (COVID Select Refers Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, source-2). The report indicated that Cuomo and his team had undercounted nursing home deaths by as much as 50%, aligning with the findings of Attorney General James.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from multiple credible sources, including a formal report from the New York Attorney General's office and findings from a congressional subcommittee. The Attorney General's report was based on investigations that involved data from 62 nursing homes, which highlighted discrepancies between reported deaths and actual fatalities. For example, one facility reported a total of 27 COVID-19 deaths to the Attorney General's office, while only reporting five to the DOH (New York COVID-19 nursing home scandal, source-3).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they stem from official government investigations and reports. The Attorney General's office is a recognized authority in investigating nursing home practices, and the congressional subcommittee's findings were based on testimonies and documents that indicate a deliberate attempt to mislead regarding the death toll (NY data show nursing home deaths undercounted by thousands, source-4).

However, some reports suggest that the undercount could be as high as 83% (Health Agency Under Cuomo 'Misled the Public' on ..., source-5). This indicates that while the claim of a 50% undercount is substantiated, there may be even greater discrepancies that have not been fully accounted for.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that Cuomo's administration undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths by up to 50% is substantiated by credible investigations and reports from the New York Attorney General's office and a congressional subcommittee. The evidence indicates significant discrepancies in reported versus actual deaths, confirming the assertion made in the claim.

Fact Check: Cuomo's administration undercounted Covid-19 nursing home deaths by up to 50%.