Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Colorado News Connection and was supplemented with state data on outbreaks at Longmont facilities.
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DENVER — As the coronavirus pandemic surges across the country, new analysis from AARP shows nursing-home residents and staff still are at significant risk.
AARP data from October through November marked increases in infection rates and deaths, along with shortages of staff and personal protection equipment.
Bob Murphy, state director for AARP Colorado, said more work and resources are needed to protect people living in congregate facilities.
"Despite the best efforts of everyone, it's getting a lot worse," Murphy said. "The number of resident deaths, the number of resident cases, the number of staff COVID cases; all really striking increases just in a month's time."
In Colorado, new COVID-19 infection rates rose to nearly eight out of every 100 nursing home residents and staff. Death rates also increased to more than one resident death per 100 residents.
Nearly a quarter of nursing homes still do not have a one-week supply of PPE, and more than a third face staffing shortages.
Locally, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment reported outbreaks at six Longmont senior living and care facilities as of Wednesday. Those facilities, according to CDPHE data, are:
- Accel at Longmont with three confirmed resident cases and five confirmed and one probable staff case.
- Applewood Living Center with 29 confirmed resident cases and two COVID deaths, and 16 confirmed staff cases.
- Cinnamon Park assisted living with 10 confirmed resident cases.
- The Katherine & Charles Hover Green Houses senior living community with three confirmed resident cases
- Life Care Center of Longmont with 92 confirmed and two probable resident cases and 21 COVID deaths. Among staff, there are 43 confirmed cases.
- The Peaks Care Center with one confirmed resident case and two confirmed staff cases.
CDPHE defines an outbreak as two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a facility in 14 days.
Murphy contended the health crisis has exposed long-standing flaws in the nation's long-term care system, and a new AARP report offers recommendations for improvements, such as ensuring staff have health insurance, paid sick leave and competitive wages.
"People in the service industry, whether they work in nursing homes or assisted-care facilities, or especially home health-care workers, they just aren't paid enough," Murphy said.
Recommendations also include creating statewide emergency response centers to rapidly identify needs and deploy resources; updating facilities to improve infection control; and addressing patient isolation, risk for depression, and their ability to interact with loved ones.
