COVID19 CASES IN NURSING HOMES More than 50,000 residents of nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities, have died from COVID-19, and the death toll continues to mount.
The American Association of Retired Persons has heard from thousands of families who have lost loved ones to coronavirus or have struggled to get information about what is happening inside the facility where their loved one lives. According AARP, states could be doing a better job to protect residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities against COVID-19. Denise Bottcher, AARP Louisiana State Director, explains what steps should be taken.
"As we've seen the spike in new cases across the state, it is critical that we have continual ly have regular testing and the appropriate amount of PPE and transparency in nursing homes so that we can fight the fight," Bottcher said.
During his recent visit to Louisiana, Vice President Mike Pence announced rapid response testing would be part of a testing priority for Nursing homes but the federal government won’t supply enough test kits to check staff and residents beyond a couple of rounds. This past Tuesday, the head of the LDH confirmed that Louisiana has yet to receive those promised test kits. While Covid-19 cases are starting to trend lower, Nursing home residents and staff are still among the most vulnerable for getting the illness. More than 1,500 Louisiana Nursing Home Residents have died from the illness.
