Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces questions about COVID nursing home deaths Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces questions about COVID nursing home deaths 01:49 NEW YORK -- Former New York Gov.
Andrew Cuomo's handling of COVID in nursing homes is under scrutiny Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Republican lawmakers on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic are specifically asking him about the state's nursing home guidance in the early days of the pandemic .
On March 25, 2020, New York mandated that nursing homes must admit patients who tested positive for COVID. Cuomo's administration was later accused of underreporting nursing home deaths , but the state acknowledged at least 15,000 long-term care residents died during the pandemic. The former governor entered the Congressional building with a wave Tuesday, intent on defending himself from claims the nursing home directive led to needless deaths.
On his way inside, he was asked whether he had anything to say to the families of those who died. He called the situation a "tragic loss." "At one time in this country, 50 percent of the deaths were in nursing homes.
So it was a national tragedy, and that's what we have to learn from this," he said. Cuomo was subpoenaed in March and then agreed to the interview in April. The subcommittee has also conducted interviews with other members of his administration, including former state Health Commissioner Dr.
Howard Zucker . Cuomo's opening statement on COVID pande.
