COVID-19 pandemic and mortality in nursing homes across USA and Europe up to October 2021

Abstract

Purpose We compared the prevalence of COVID-19 and related mortality in nursing homes (NHs) in 14 countries until October 2021. We explored the relationship between COVID-19 mortality in NHs with the average size of NHs and with the COVID-19 deaths at a population level. Methods The total number of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19-related deaths in all NHs as well as the total number of NHs and NH beds were provided by representatives of 14 countries. The population level respective figures in each country were provided up to October 2021. Results There was a wide variation in prevalence of COVID-19 cases and deaths between countries. We observed a significant correlation between COVID-19 deaths in NHs and that of the total population and between the mean size of NHs and COVID-19 deaths. Conclusion Side-by-side comparisons between countries allow international sharing of good practice to better enable future pandemic preparedness.

Managing the Impact of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities: An Update

“…27 In an updated analysis, pooled data from 14 countries indicated a prevalence of 2.2% of occupied beds in Finland to 50% in the United States has been reported until October 2021, with most countries reporting previous infections in between 1/10th of 1/3rd of all residents infected. 6 More recent estimates of infection (and reinfection) prevalence, in the face of wide Omicron transmission, are unclear.…”

“…76 A recent analysis of data from 14 countries until October 2021 that nursing home residents represented 11% of all COVID-19 deaths in Czech Republic and up to 50% in Belgium. 6 For residents infected with SARS-CoV-2, estimates of casefatality vary from 20% to 50% for older nursing home residents, with a pooled estimate of 23% in one meta-analysis. 77 OR, odds ratio.…”

“…5 Collectively, this places older nursing home residents at greater risk of morbidity and mortality from viral infections, starkly highlighted in the first wave of the current pandemic where older nursing homes represented one-third to more than half of all deaths. 6 Following the first wave, mortality significantly declined in nursing home residents as a result of widespread infection prevention and control measures, appropriate supply and use of personal protective equipment, and measures to increase temporarily medical supports in nursing homes. 6,7 Measures such as visitation bans and national lockdowns, which had a significant impact in the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections and outbreaks in nursing homes, represented significant challenges to the mental and emotional well-being of residents, their families, and nursing home staff.…”

“…6 Following the first wave, mortality significantly declined in nursing home residents as a result of widespread infection prevention and control measures, appropriate supply and use of personal protective equipment, and measures to increase temporarily medical supports in nursing homes. 6,7 Measures such as visitation bans and national lockdowns, which had a significant impact in the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections and outbreaks in nursing homes, represented significant challenges to the mental and emotional well-being of residents, their families, and nursing home staff. 8e10 Although the tremendous success of vaccination programs resulted in a sharp decline in infection and mortality rates in nursing home residents, management of breakthrough infections and associated outbreaks, particularly with variants of concern, is an ongoing challenge for the sector.…”

Working as a nurse in community health services during Covid-19: a qualitative study

“…How government authorities and national health services have managed the pandemic and the number of con rmed cases has varied in different countries [1,2]. A brief report that compared the prevalence of Covid-19 and related mortality among nursing homes in 14 countries con rmed a wide variation in case numbers and deaths [3]. Norway has generally shown both low case numbers and low death rates compared with other countries [4][5][6].…”