Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Case Numbers In Nursing Homes See 40% Increase
Politico: Pandemic Invades Nursing Homes Again
The coronavirus is surging in nursing homes once again, despite President Donald Trump’s promise to keep vulnerable residents of care facilities safe while encouraging most people to work, play, shop and attend school normally. Covid-19 cases in nursing homes saw a more than 40 percent increase from mid-September to Oct. 25 after seven weeks of steady decline, according to the most recent data. Nursing home operators and experts on long-term care say it’s basically impossible to keep the coronavirus from seeping in as cases spike in communities across the country. (Roubein, 11/11)
San Francisco Chronicle: California Nursing Homes See Surge In Coronavirus Cases Amid Statewide Spike
Coronavirus cases are starting to surge again in California nursing homes amid a third deadly wave of the virus. The spike is reigniting worries that accelerating community spread is spilling over to settings where residents are most vulnerable to dying from COVID-19. The number of new daily coronavirus cases at the state’s skilled nursing facilities has more than doubled since the start of November — from 42 on Nov. 1 to 101 on Nov. 10 — after a relatively steady decrease since August, according to state data. (Ho, 11/12)
Detroit Free Press: Michigan Nursing Homes Seeing Increase In COVID-19 Cases, Deaths
The state's nursing homes are seeing an increase in coronavirus cases and deaths among residents and staff, and several groups are sounding the alarm to protect these vulnerable residents and those who care for them as the virus surges in Michigan and across the country. On Thursday, AARP Michigan said new coronavirus cases and deaths in nursing homes are reflective of recent upward trends in Michigan's general population and that there are shortages in staff and personal protective equipment (PPE). (Hall, 11/13)
The Providence Journal: RI Nursing Homes Seeing New Spike In COVID Cases
COVID cases are spiking in Rhode Island nursing homes. At least 230 new nursing-home resident cases were reported in the two weeks leading up to Wednesday, according to a state data update. Over the summer lull, cases had hovered at around 35 every two weeks. They’d slowly ticked up over the autumn, with just under 100 cases in the two weeks leading up to Nov. 4. (Amaral, 11/12)
Buffalonews.Com: Brothers Of Mercy Nursing Home Fined $6,000 For Covid-19 Violation
The State Health Department fined a Clarence nursing home $6,000 after a worker failed to encourage three dementia patients to wear masks and maintain social distancing during a recreational activity. The Brothers of Mercy nursing home residents were not separated by 6 feet at a table where two of the individuals were working on a puzzle during an Aug. 18 infection control review, according to an inspector. (Michel, 11/12)
KHN: Prayers And Grief Counseling After COVID: Trying To Aid Healing In Long-Term Care
A tidal wave of grief and loss has rolled through long-term care facilities as the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 91,000 residents and staffers — nearly 40% of recorded COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. And it’s not over: Facilities are bracing for further shocks as coronavirus cases rise across the country. (Graham, 11/13)
