Nursing homes represent more than 1 in 4 virus deaths

WASHINGTON DC: Nursing home residents account for nearly one in 10 of all the Coronavirus cases in the United States and more than a quarter of the deaths, according to an Associated Press analysis of government data released Thursday.

As federal data collection becomes more robust, a clearer picture is emerging of the ravages of COVID-19 in nursing homes. About 1.4 million older and medically frail people live in such facilities, a tiny share of the American population that has borne a crushing burden from the pandemic.

Most residents have been in lockdown since early March, isolated from families and friends, even in death.

AP'S analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that nearly half of the more than 15,000 nursing homes have reported suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of June 7. About 1 in 5 facilities or 21% have reported deaths. Nationwide, nursing homes reported nearly 179,000 suspected or confirmed cases among residents and 29,497 deaths. The latest figures include about 95% of nursing homes.

Earlier this week, a special House panel on the Coronavirus pandemic launched an investigation into the crisis in nursing homes.

The vulnerabilities are many. Residents live in close quarters, usually two to a room before the pandemic. They shared dining and recreational areas, and physical therapy gyms. Many staff aides work in several facilities, so they can unwittingly carry the virus from one nursing home to another.

Lawmakers are concerned that lax oversight by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the federal government's failure to provide testing supplies and personal protective equipment to nursing homes and longterm care facilities may have contributed to the spread of the Coronavirus," said committee Chairman James Clyburn, D-S.C.