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. However, less attention has been paid to recent trends in cases among residents and staff in long-term care facilities and how these relate to surges in “hotspot” states.

If you think about it, summer is coming to an end and a huge focus has been on schools reopening, virtual learning, hybrid learning models, etc., so it is no wonder young people are taking center stage in the news. That said, younger people can and often do spread the virus to grandma and grandpa, as they are frequently asymptomatic. This is actually quite a debacle!

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently published information regarding this trend and stated that “hotspot states” with wider community transmission have risen to four times the rate as long-term care cases in non-hotspot states. Pretty telling right? So, as we continue to journey through this pandemic, remember, we can’t “not know” what the researchers are discovering, we have to stay on top of every new development and plan our reopening in a manner that will promote safety, wellness, and decisions based on research. Please take the time to do YOUR research so that we all do the right things for the right reasons. Thank you, stay well, stay safe, and stay tuned!