Improved understanding of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) within households could aid control measures. To assess household transmission, a case-ascertained study was conducted in Nashville, Tennessee and Marshfield, Wisconsin beginning in April 2020. Because household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is common and can occur rapidly after the patient’s illness onset, persons should self-isolate immediately at …
Per the CDC Weekly MMWR report that was published October 27, 2020 and updated October 30, 2020, self-reported engagement in mitigation behaviors (mask-wearing, handwashing, physical distancing, crowd and restaurant avoidance and cancellation of social activities) differed significantly by adult age group. During April-June 2020, the prevalence of these behaviors was lowest among adults aged 18-29 years and highest among those …
In the United States, there is not yet an authorized or approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The federal government, through Operation Warp Speed, has been working since the pandemic started to make one or more COVID-19 vaccines available as soon as possible. Although the CDC does not have a role in developing COVID-19 vaccines, CDC has been …
How to Handle Covid Thanksgiving: Residents in isolation should stay in isolation and not leave the center except for hospitalization Residents in a facility with an outbreak need to be sure the family is aware and is advised not to take the resident out of the center Discuss the risk/benefit of taking the resident LOA with families and request that …
A recent study published in “Scientific Reports” raises the question, “are the elderly really more vulnerable to COVID-19 than the general population”? Since its emergence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a pandemic and has produced a huge number of cases worldwide. As of May 29, 2020, the number of confirmed cases in Italy was 382.3 (per 100,000 population), …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking steps to ensure all Americans, including the nation’s seniors, have access to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine at no cost when it becomes available. Per CMS Administrator Seema Verma, “under President Trump’s leadership, we have developed a comprehensive plan to support the swift and successful distribution of a safe …
CMS has released great informational material during the pandemic, including free training designed to educate staff in nursing homes and help combat the spread of COVID-19. Early this week, CMS released a statement publicly recognizing those that have completed training, and calling out star facilities that have had over half their staff complete such training. By the numbers, 125,506 individuals …
In a recent publication on “Morning Consult”, Mark Parkinson, President, and CEO of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) gave some insight into what providers have been living with and continue to struggle with during this pandemic. “From the beginning, long-term care providers never wavered from their commitment to delivering the highest quality of …
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released a report on November 2 showing new COVID-19 cases are increasing in nursing homes in the United States due to community spread among the general population, notably in the Midwestern states, in recent weeks. Data released by Johns Hopkins University and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid …
As we move toward a COVID-19 vaccine becoming a reality, many questions come to mind. When will a vaccine become available? When will a vaccine become available for me? Will the vaccine be mandated? Can my employer mandate I take the vaccine? What happens to my job if my employer mandates I take the vaccine and I refuse? The honest …
