The CDC recently compiled data from seven state or local health departments that conducted facility-wide testing in nursing homes. A total of 288 nursing homes conducted initial facility-wide testing during March 24-June 14 with turnaround times ranged from 1-7 days from testing until receipt of results. The study results were posted on August 14, 2020 and the discussion below summarizes …
Over the last month, many states have seen a surge of Coronavirus cases, particularly in states that have loosened social distancing requirements. Data shows that younger people make up a growing percentage of new Coronavirus cases in cities and states, and much recent media coverage has focused on the resurgence of the pandemic being driven by cases among younger adults. …
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced they will be publishing their findings regarding the SARS-CoV-2 virus and how the virus may be spread. There is currently substantial controversy about the role played by SARS-CoV-2 however, in one recent study, air samples were collected in the room of two COVID-19 patients, one who had an active respiratory infection and a nasopharyngeal …
The results in a poll conducted by the Yahoo News/YouGov on July 28-30 show the lowest percentage of “yes” answers to the question “If and when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available, will you get vaccinated” since the poll started. In fact, the “yes” percentages went from: 55% in early May 50% in late May and 46% in early July. That …
On August 11, 2020, a report “Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Involving Residents Receiving Dialysis in a Nursing Home – Maryland, April 2020” was posted online as an MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) Early Release. Residents of long-term care facilities have high COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality. More information is needed about SARS-CoV-2 introduction and transmission in nursing homes. An investigation …
The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing a scientific brief to address continually emerging evidence on transmission of COVID-19 and says that airborne transmission of the virus can occur in health care settings where specific medical procedures, called aerosol-generating procedures, generate very small droplets called aerosols. Some outbreak reports related to indoor crowded spaces have suggested the possibility of aerosol …
In a transcript published in Medscape on August 10, 2020, Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., the director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center and School of Medicine, discussed the “warp speed” plan for developing a vaccine to fight COVID-19. Dr. Caplan discusses the process of FDA approval for vaccines and indicates that approval can …
I remember as a young child my parents would dance the “Tango” and I thought it was funny. As I got older I thought it was cute that they could still dance together and not step on each other’s feet! The Argentine Tango is a partnered dance focused on walking and balance dynamics. Partners learn correct posture and the ability …
Nurse staffing is a key contributor to the quality of care provided in nursing homes. A review conducted by the OIG (Office of the Inspector General) prior to COVID-19 pandemic, focused on staffing data from 2018 and was posted on 8-3-2020. Now, with the 2020 pandemic, it becomes more obvious that adequate staffing for nursing homes is critical as inadequate …
The CDC recently released information that seniors receiving the shingles vaccine decrease their risk of stroke by up to 20%! That’s pretty impressive when you figure most strokes occur in seniors versus younger adults and that a simple vaccine may make a difference! What their study showed was: Receiving the shingles vaccine lowered the risk of stroke by about 16% …
