More than 800 patients were moved from seven nursing homes to what was described as a warehouse facility in Independence in Tangipahoa Parish a week ago, the Health Department said. It said that when health inspectors visited the center two days after Ida hit, they were "expelled" and prevented from assessing conditions.
Officials did not elaborate on the conditions at a news conference, but department spokesperson Aly Neel told The Associated Press that there were reports of people lying on mattresses on the floor, not being fed and not being socially distanced.
Gov. John Bel Edwards vowed an investigation, which he said will include whether there was an intentional effort to obstruct efforts to check on the patients and the shelter. Law enforcement agencies are already involved, officials said.
"At a minimum, when the situation degrades to the point that happened fairly quickly starting on Monday, then the owner, the homes, have an obligation to either move those residents themselves to a better facility or to ask for help," Edwards said, adding that the owner "did neither."
I remember a case in Texas where a nursing home got flooded to a point that water was up over the beds, and the residents were still there. Water flooded in faster than expected. There just wasn't time for a plan B. I forgot the outcome as this was years ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
"the owner, the homes, have an obligation to either move those residents themselves to a better facility or to ask for help"
This Govenor is very naive. These "owners" are making money off these residents. If not giving them full care, making a nice profit.