During a tense hearing, N.J.’s top health official defends state’s response to nursing home crisis Updated Apr 21, 2021; Posted Apr 21, 2021 Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, top right, described to the Assembly Budget Committee Wednesday how state and local public health officials fought to stem the spread of the coronavirus inside long-term care facilities. Facebook Share State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli on Wednesday defended her office’s response to the pandemic and the “devastating” toll it took on residents in long-term care facilities, noting the department...