Request For 25 Body Bags Reveals Deadly Outbreak At New Jersey Nursing Home; Congressman Says 68 Dead

A request for 25 body bags led police to find more than a dozen corpses at a New Jersey nursing home.

The state is opening an investigation into Andover Rehabilitation in Sussex County after a number of bodies were removed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak at this nursing home may be the deadliest in New Jersey.

According to the police, following the request for body bags Monday (4/13/20), investigators found 17 bodies in the facility’s holding area.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer, whose district includes Andover, said a total of 68 people from the facility have died and another 76 residents have tested positive. This includes 40 staff members who tested positive and two nurses who have died.

“When they called Saturday, they were desperate for body bags and what can we do to help,” Gottheimer said on camera. “Overall, we need to figure out what went on here. Did they take all the steps necessary upfront for PPE? Did they segregate those who are positive?”

Gottheimer said the nursing home is the largest in the state with over 500 beds and the focus right now is saving lives.