Texas nursing home COVID-19 cases jump 60 percent since July 1
As cases of the new coronavirus continue to rise sharply across Texas, so too have the number of cases in nursing homes increased. The average number of new cases in nursing homes over a seven-day period was higher Wednesday than ever before — as was the average number of total new cases in the state over the previous seven days.
The trend indicates that more testing is needed to keep the coronavirus out of nursing homes — especially as it rages in the community, said Amanda Fredriksen, associate state director for advocacy for AARP Texas. Nursing home staffers may get groceries, buy gas or interact with family after work, and some may have no idea if they’re infected when they return to their jobs.
“We need regular, ongoing testing of staff, so that the virus is caught before — we’re not waiting until people are symptomatic,” Fredriksen said. “Until the state does regular, ongoing testing of staff in nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, and the virus continues to be present in the community, I think you’re going to see these … bumps.”
The number of infected residents at nursing homes has increased by more than 60 percent since the start of July, going from a little under 6,000 cases to 9,609 cases. About 70 percent of the state’s 1,221 registered nursing facilities have also now reported an infected staff member or resident, according to state data.
Read more: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-nursing-homes-see-new-spike-in-COVID-19-15413767.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
