Medics Aid Paramus Veteran Home With 40 Coronavirus Cases: Report

PARAMUS, NJ — Combat medics were dispatched to the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus Thursday after an outbreak of the new coronavirus claimed the lives of at least 10 residents, according to several local news outlets.

WABC reported 40 medics, who have training equivalent to that of EMTs, are being sent to assist other veterans home staffers in caring for the veterans who live inside.

Northjersey.com reports at least 10 residents of the veterans home in Paramus have died from COVID-19, and another 27 have died in the past two weeks, though their causes of death are unknown.

Citing official and inside sources, the outlet reports six residents were hospitalized and 70 are sick. Further, of the home's 394 staff members, 17 tested positive for the virus and 20 were awaiting results, according to the report.

On Wednesday, General Patrick Kennedy from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs addressed the friends and families of veterans home residents in a video posted to the department's Facebook page.

"I know it’s frustrating to not be able to get in and see your loved ones, but their safety and their health is our No. 1 concern," he said. "We’re doing everything we can to allow them to connect with you on the outside, but it’s very, very important that we make sure they are safe and secure through this coronavirus outbreak."

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said on its Facebook 35 New Jersey Army National Guard combat medics have also been sent to the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home to assist staff there.

In the Facebook video, Kennedy added: "Continue to reach out to them in every way you can. It’s very, very important. But know that their safety and their security is our number one concern."

The department posted another video to its Facebook on Thursday showing veterans center staff playing music and dancing with residents.

Mark Piterski, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, told WBAC the combat medics will remain at the Paramus home as long as they are needed.

"There will be a little over 10 plus leadership on our three shifts and will augment our staff," he told the news outlet.