The number of veterans dead has jumped at a Massachusetts nursing home ravaged by the coronavirus that is under multiple investigations.
State officials said 44 veterans have died since late March at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, 36 of whom tested positive for COVID-19. At least 100 others have been infected, according to NBC News. The death toll is a large jump from 32 on Friday when the Justice Department opened its investigation into the facility.
Andrew Lelling, the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, said investigators would “get to the bottom of what happened” at the nursing home.
“It would be difficult to overstate our obligation to the health and well-being of elderly and disabled military veterans,” he said.
The investigation is looking into whether the civil rights of the veterans were violated by not receiving sufficient medical care. The National Guard is also assisting with efforts to help those with COVID-19.
Gov. Charlie Baker opened his own investigation into Holyoke Soldiers’ Home after learning of the deaths in late March.
Massachusetts has more than 26,800 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and at least 844 deaths, according to the most recent tally from the New York Times.
