One-Third of All U.S. Coronavirus Deaths are Nursing Home Residents or Workers-
According to a New York Times database, at least 28,100 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus (COVID-19) at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities for older adults in the United States. The coronavirus (COVID-19) has so far infected more than 153,000 residents and workers at nearly 7,700 facilities.
The total deaths in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and other long-term care, retirement, and rehabilitation facilities account for more than one-third of the total United States pandemic fatalities. Since states and the federal government struggle to assemble their own data on the location of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates and deaths, this number may be vastly undercounted. However, in some 14 states, the number of residents and workers who have died accounts for more than half of all deaths from the virus.
Based on the number of infection and death cases compiled by the New York Times, some 850 of the country’s 3,100 counties have at least one coronavirus (COVID-19) case related to a nursing home or long-term care facility for older adults.
The State of California has reported that 525 facilities have been infected with 9,803 known cases of infection resulting in 996 deaths, which accounts for 36% of the share of state deaths and is on par with the national average.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes that nursing home populations are at high risk for infections and death caused by coronavirus (COVID-19), which is known to be particularly lethal to older adults with underlying health conditions. Because the people who live in nursing homes are confined to a small environment where workers move from room to room, coronavirus (COVID-19) can spread more easily than in other environments.
Though the environment and the nature of care in nursing homes and long-term care facilities could explain the exceptional rate of infection and deaths, the infection and death rates may likely be higher due to an ongoing epidemic of neglectful care of the elderly in these facilities.
While nursing homes and assisted living facilities continue to focus their attention on the coronavirus (COVID-19), neglectful care resulting in injuries and wrongful death has been more prevalent than ever.
Aljazeera has briefly explained the situation of US Nursing Homes pre and post-COVID-19 hit. It also features a case of one of our clients, Robert Thorngren (Son of a Nursing Home Resident), and how Mike Moran handled the case.
If you have observed substandard practices in a nursing home or other long-term care facility that you suspect may have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), or if your loved one has suffered any injuries or wrongful death as a result of neglectful care attributed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, please contact the #1 Elder Abuse/Neglect attorneys in the state of California at Moran Law, (714) 549-0333 and we will evaluate if you have a claim free of charge.