The deadly effects of the Coronavirus in long-term care (LTC) facilities across the country in the early months of the pandemic account for more than 70,000 resident and staff deaths. Residents and staff in those facilities have accounted for 8 percent of all COVID-19 cases and 45 percent of deaths from the virus.
A recent trend analysis of COVID-19 data from long-term care facilities shows that the pandemic was initially most severe in the Northeastern section of the country, but has varied from state to state. Although cases declined in June and July, data indicates that they have been increasing slightly in August due to an increase in cases among younger persons.
Key findings from the Kaiser Family Foundation analysis include the following:
- Nationally, reported cumulative cases and deaths in long-term care facilities have increased over time from 10,000 deaths and 50,000 cases in mid-April to over 70,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 cases by mid-August. However, trends in cases and deaths vary notably across states.
- Nationally, the portion of deaths attributed to LTC facilities has stayed relatively constant since May, but the portion of cases attributed to LTC facilities has decreased over time.
- Nationally, the number of new LTC cases and deaths peaked in April, decreased in May and June, before rising in July, followed by another rise in new LTC deaths in August.
The analysis clarifies these findings with this statement: “These patterns of new LTC cases and deaths generally follow the patterns of cases and deaths that we have seen nationally, indicating a strong connection between community spread with cases and deaths in long-term care facilities. Recent analysis on cases in hotspot states supports this notion as well. A key distinction here is the number of new LTC cases per 100,000 residents in July and August was much lower than new LTC cases in April and May, which differs from the national pattern where new cases in the summer months were higher than new cases in April and May.”
For the full analyses, as well as other data and analyses related to COVID-19 and long-term care, visit kff.org.
Compliance Perspective
Issue: The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths from the early months of the outbreak have declined, but analysis of new reported data indicates a slight increase in cases and deaths in LTC facilities due to community spread of the virus. This indicates the need for nursing homes to be diligent in infection control and to continue following state and federal guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus as facilities move from lockdown to allowing in-person visitation.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures to ensure that the facility is carefully following state and federal guidelines for re-opening in-person visitation and for maintaining the staff screening process (temperature/symptom checks and questions regarding travel and community exposure) on each shift.
- Train staff to continue protocols (e.g., hand hygiene, PPE) designed to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus both within the facility and outside.
- Periodically audit to ensure that staff are screened for possible symptoms and external community exposure, and that in-person visitation protocols are in place and carefully followed.
