Binghamton Nursing Home Identified as COVID-19 Hotspot

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar is expressing concern about the growing number of coronavirus cases in local nursing homes.

Garnar Tuesday afternoon announced Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Binghamton has emerged as another "hotspot" for COVID-19 cases.

Garnar did not release information on the number of residents and employees of the facility at 159 Front Street who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Bridgewater administrator Brendan Maloney could not be reached for comment following the county executive's announcement.

Bridgewater's website made no mention of the coronavirus cases that have developed at the facility. Even after Garnar's briefing naming the nursing home as a hotspot, the website featured a notice stating: "There are NO cases here at Bridgewater Center." That message was dated March 12.

Garnar previously had announced the county-owned Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Vestal was considered to be a COVID-19 hotspot.

The county executive Tuesday said 27 residents and 17 employees now have tested positive for the coronavirus. Five Willow Point residents have died due to coronavirus-related complications.

Broome County government statistics indicate a total of 35 people have died because of COVID-19. There are 137 active cases and 341 people have recovered.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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