New York governor's top aide apologizes and says administration 'froze' after inquiries on Covid-19 deaths at long-term care facilities

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's top aide Melissa DeRosa apologized to Democratic lawmakers Wednesday for putting them in a tough spot over long-awaited data which revealed thousands more confirmed and presumed Covid-19 deaths of long-term care facility residents than previously disclosed, according to a source who participated in the call.

The apology follows the release of a report in late January from state Attorney General Letitia James, noting the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) undercounted Covid-19 deaths among residents of nursing homes by approximately 50%.