17 bodies found at Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center

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Already hard hit by COVID-19 virus, 17 bodies were discovered inside the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in what was described as a small morgue.

“We are not pleased what is going on at the Andover facility,” said state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli Thursday at the governor’s daily COVID-19 briefing in Trenton.

She said that at the Andover I facility 19 residents have been reported positive for COVID-19, two have been hospitalized, and 34 have been identified as having flu symptoms.

There have been seven total deaths since April 3. Five of the deaths were due to COVID-19 and four staff members have flu symptoms.

Andover II reported 84 residents with COVID-19 an additional 99 are showing respiratory symptoms. Forty-eight staff members are reporting flu symptoms and there have been 28 deaths since March 30; 14 of those deaths were due to COVID-19.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he is “outraged that bodies of the dead were allowed to pile up in a makeshift morgue at the facility. New Jerseyans who live in our long term care facilities deserve to be cared for with respect, compassion and dignity.”

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said that his office is investigating the matter, and will follow the facts wherever they go.