in

Spanish Military Finds Dead Bodies And Seniors 'Completely Abandoned' In Care Homes – NPR, Npr.org

Spanish Military Finds Dead Bodies And Seniors 'Completely Abandoned' In Care Homes – NPR, Npr.org
      

            

    

    

        

                Spanish army troops disinfecting nursing homes in Madrid found some residents living in squalor among the infectious bodies of people who authorities suspect died from the coronavirus.                                                                            Manu Fernandez / AP                                                        hide caption             

            

toggle caption

         

                 Manu Fernandez / AP              

    

    

        

Spanish army troops disinfecting nursing homes in Madrid found some residents living in squalor among the infectious bodies of people who authorities suspect died from the coronavirus.

        

                         Manu Fernandez / AP                           

   

   

The Spanish military has found older residents of some care homes “completely abandoned” and even “dead in their beds,” Defense Minister Margarita Robles said in a television interview on Monday.

They were found as soldiers disinfected and provided emergency health care services this week to residential homes across the country. Robles did not give an exact figure for the number of dead bodies found by Spanish soldiers.

With more than , confirmed cases of COVID – and 2, deaths as of Tuesday, Spain is the second hardest-hit country in Europe.

On Tuesday, 728 new deaths were registered in a – hour period, the worst increase since the outbreak began. Retirement homes have been particularly affected.

Last week, one privately owned home in Madrid reported (deaths and) infections , claiming it did not have adequate material to take care of the sick residents and dead bodies.

While the usual protocol in Spanish nursing homes is to put the body of a deceased person in cold storage until a funeral service picks it up, bodies are now being left in beds until properly equipped staff can remove them.

Speaking in a television interview, Robles said staff in some centers had left the nursing homes after cases of COVID – were detected. Residents were abandoned to take care of themselves, even though some were sick and in serious condition.

The defense minister said the government will take action against those responsible. “We will be completely relentless and forceful with the kind of treatment elderly residents receive in these centers,” Robles said. “I know that a vast majority [of centers] are fulfilling their obligations.”

Meanwhile, Spanish prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incidents. In Spain, around % of the population is older than ; the country has one of the longest life expectancies in the world.

Health Minister Salvador Illa said residential care homes are “a high priority during this time” for the Spanish government, and it will exert “maximum control” over these centers.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for the nationalization of all privately owned nursing homes, just as he had previously called for the nationalization of private hospitals, to help ensure better access as well as adequate staff and equipment. Over the weekend, Spain’s Defense Ministry made thousands of phone calls to seniors living alone or in vulnerable situations to assess their health.

Brave Browser Read More Brave Browser

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Let Amitabh Bachchan Be Your Fitness Inspiration During Quarantine – NDTV News, Ndtv.com

Let Amitabh Bachchan Be Your Fitness Inspiration During Quarantine – NDTV News, Ndtv.com

Dow Jones Leads Market Rally Amid Hopes For $ 2 Tril Coronavirus Aid Deal – Investor's Business Daily, Investors.com

Dow Jones Leads Market Rally Amid Hopes For $ 2 Tril Coronavirus Aid Deal – Investor's Business Daily, Investors.com