The report accuses senior officials of ignoring problems within the department to pursue political vendettas instead. The rise in deaths comes amid a surge in active cases among VA patients. More than 100,000 patients connected to VA have tested positive for the virus in the last eight months. James Byrne served as VA’s second-highest ranking official before his firing last February. Active cases in the VA system are up 252 percent in the last two months. Nearly 18 veterans a day die by suicide, according to the latest data. More than 9,300 veterans connected to the VA health care system are currently dealing with the virus. Robert Wilkie was in close contact last week with HUD Secretary Ben Carson, who tested positive on Monday. In an interview with Military Times, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie defended the department's response to coronavirus thus far as better than many had predicted. At least a dozen different temperature check devices are in use at department facilities across the country. Load More