Health Department Expands Testing in NY to Determine Between COVID-19 and the Flu

The New York State Health Department announced Monday, as flu season approaches, that all coroners, funeral directors, hospitals, and nursing homes will be required to test all deaths for both the coronavirus and influenza to collect accurate data.

Those who die unattended by medical or nursing personnel will also need to be tested for both COVID-19 and influenza.

Currently, The Health Department requires all nursing home staffers to be tested for the virus weekly.

“While the human toll this virus has taken on New Yorkers is immeasurable, these regulations will ensure we have the most accurate death data possible as we continue to manage COVID-19 while preparing for flu season,” Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a statement released on Monday. “Good quality health data helps inform good quality public health decisions, and this information will strengthen our contact tracing efforts and slow the spread of this virus.”

The Justice Department is investigating the state of New York to determine if their policies have possibly contributed to the sizable death toll amongst the nursing homes. Still, Governor Cuomo dismissed the inquiries and blamed it on a witch hunt by the Trump Administration, as the infection rate in New York has been below one percent for 24 consecutive days.