Coronavirus in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Angie SzumlinskiCompliance

In the March 27, 2020 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC indicated that once SARS-CoV-2 is introduced into a Skilled Nursing Facility, rapid transmission can occur. They noted that the implication for facilities is that symptom-based screening of SNF residents might fail to identify all SARS-CoV-2 infections. They summarize with once a facility has confirmed a COVID-19 case, all residents should be cared for using CDC-recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), with considerations for extended use or reuse of PPE as needed.