Nursing home in New York records 98 deaths linked to Covid-19

The death toll at the 705-bed Manhattan home has staggered public officials, with mayor Bill de Blasio calling it "absolutely horrifying".

It is hard to say whether the spate of deaths at the Isabella Geriatric Centre is the worst nursing home outbreak yet in the US, because facilities have chosen to report fatalities in different ways.

An official state tally of nursing home deaths listed only 13 at the home as of Friday, but the home has said 46 residents who tested positive for Covid-19 had died as well as an additional 52 people "suspected" to have the virus.

The number of bodies became so overwhelming the home ordered a refrigerator truck to store them because funeral homes have been taking days to pick up the deceased.

Mr de Blasio said: "It's absolutely horrifying.

"It's inestimable loss, and it's just impossible to imagine so many people lost in one place."

Audrey Waters, a spokeswoman for the nursing home, said it had experienced challenges securing personal protective equipment and testing, like others in the city.

She added: "Isabella, like all other nursing homes in New York City, initially had limited access to widespread and consistent in-house testing to quickly diagnose our residents and staff.

"This hampered our ability to identify those who were infected and asymptomatic, despite our efforts to swiftly separate anyone who presented symptoms."

The nursing home also said it kept family members in the loop about changes in their loved ones' conditions despite the circumstances.

Ms Waters said: "When we believe their loved one is nearing death, we do reach out to a resident's primary contact and ask if they would like to say goodbye in person or via phone or an app.

"In-person goodbye visits were never interrupted and continue to happen."