15 now dead among nursing home residents evacuated to warehouse

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed Thursday morning the death toll had risen to 15 among nursing home residents evacuated to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse before Hurricane Ida.

LDH says five of those deaths are storm-related. A spokesperson says it’s unclear what the causes of the other deaths are related to at this point.

More than 800 residents from seven nursing homes owned by Bob Dean were evacuated to the warehouse in Independence, La. Several lawsuits have been filed after those evacuated said they went without proper medical care, air conditioning, or sleeping arrangements for days.

Officials have revoked the licenses of all seven of Dean’s nursing homes. Dean’s attorney says he plans to appeal the state’s decision.

RELATED STORIES:

• Families of nursing home residents in warehouse shelter say owner ‘needs to be punished’
• Nursing homes claimed they were ready for evacuation, LDH and families disagree
• Nursing home residents evacuated to warehouse describe ‘nightmare’ conditions
• Lawsuit filed over ‘horrific and inhumane’ conditions at nursing home evacuation warehouse where 7 died

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