“First and foremost, my heart goes out to all the family members whose loved ones succumbed to COVID-19 while residing in nursing homes. Since the start of the public health crisis, I have stood with family members and nursing home residents, and advocated on their behalf to ensure their safety and overall well-being and also called for nursing homes to get the proper PPE, testing and other measures to support all staff and residents to battle this crisis. I am outraged at the lack of transparency and accuracy from the Department of Health and the Administration with regard to nursing home protocols and reporting measures. That is why my colleagues and I have been calling for the release of accurate data for months. The release of this report is only the beginning of an investigation that should uncover the truth these families rightfully deserve. As this independent investigation continues, more focus should be on those impacted and the lives lost right here in the North Country.”