New Revelations Suggest Higher COVID-19 Death Toll Linked to Former NY Governor Cuomo’s Policies

New York, NY – April 27, 2025 – A recent report has reignited scrutiny over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with allegations that his administration’s policies may have contributed to thousands more deaths than previously reported. The controversy centers on a nursing home policy that required facilities to accept COVID-positive patients, a decision critics argue led to a devastating spread of the virus among vulnerable populations.

According to a post by the New York Post, internal emails obtained through investigations reveal that Cuomo personally edited a July 2020 New York State Department of Health report to underreport nursing home deaths. The report allegedly lowballed fatalities by as much as 50%, contradicting Cuomo’s claims to Congress that he had no direct role in altering the data. This revelation has fueled accusations of a deliberate cover-up to deflect responsibility for the high death toll in nursing homes.

The policy in question, issued on March 25, 2020, mandated that nursing homes could not refuse patients based on confirmed or suspected COVID-19 status. A report by the New York State Attorney General in January 2021 estimated that the state’s Department of Health undercounted nursing home deaths by up to 83%, a figure that aligns with claims of significant underreporting. The report suggested that the policy contributed to the spread of the virus in facilities ill-equipped to manage outbreaks, potentially leading to thousands of preventable deaths.

Critics, including Republican lawmakers like Rep. James Comer, have accused Cuomo of prioritizing political optics over transparency. In a statement, Comer’s committee highlighted evidence suggesting Cuomo’s direct involvement in manipulating data, calling it a “betrayal” of public trust. Meanwhile, defenders of Cuomo argue that the policy was based on limited knowledge early in the pandemic and aligned with federal guidance at the time.

The exact number of additional deaths remains speculative, as no comprehensive new data has been released to substantiate claims of “thousands more” fatalities. The New York State Department of Health reported over 15,000 nursing home deaths by mid-2021, but investigations suggest the true figure could be significantly higher. The lack of definitive evidence has led to polarized reactions, with some calling for renewed legal scrutiny and others cautioning against politicizing a complex public health crisis.

Cuomo, who resigned in August 2021 amid unrelated allegations, has denied wrongdoing in his pandemic response. His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations.

As investigations continue, the controversy underscores ongoing debates about accountability and transparency in crisis management. The public awaits further evidence to clarify the full impact of New York’s nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

17GEN4.com