As the spread of COVID-19 persists across the country and in Eastern North Carolina, the number of coronavirus cases are increasing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. PRE’s Mattie Holloway has more.
On July 14, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, Mark Parkinson, sent a letter to the National Governors Association warning states of the imminent coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Parkinson believes this spreading is the result of a lack of Personal Protective Equipment in facilities and significant delays in receiving test results for both residents and caregivers. Parkinson’s letter requests that governors expedite lab results for COVID-19 testing, provide more masks and other personal protective equipment to residents and caregivers, and asks for support from the public health sector with hopes to slow the spread of Coronavirus in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported that congregate living facilities in Eastern North Carolina currently have over 400 active cases with about 150 of these coming from Duplin County alone. NCDHHS' currentefforts include restricting visitors, communal dining, and group activities for those in long-term care facilities.