Prevention is Key to Reducing the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has greatly affected the older people who live in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Older people and those with underlying chronic conditions in LTCFs have experienced disproportionately high morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 vaccines plus a booster shot provide strong protection against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths, but new COVID-19 variants, such as Omicron, have a remarkable ability to evade immunity from vaccines, past infection, or both. Prevention is key to reducing the spread of COVID-19 in LTCFs. This study aims to investigate a prevention approach for protecting residents and staff from COVID-19. This paper first presents a case study of massive coronavirus outbreaks at a big nursing home facility and demonstrates how the facility incorrectly responded to COVID-19. It further investigates prevention measures, such as improving vaccination, early detection, isolation and intervention to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It concludes by discussing the implications of the study and directions of future research.