COVID-19 cases in nursing homes in Wisconsin increase with community expansion

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Wisconsin is one of the 23 states and is considered a “hotspot” for coronaviruses, and as the virus continued to spread throughout the community in late June and early July, it provided nursing homes. The number of COVID-19 cases increased, and living facilities were supported. Review Of state data.

However, Wisconsin did not reach the levels found in some states such as Texas and Florida. 47 and 51 percent Wisconsin saw a 5% increase in COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities and a 32% surge in statewide.

“I think it’s a test of the hard work being done in Wisconsin,” said John Sauer, chairman of Leading Age Wisconsin, an association of long-term care organizations. “Even if the state increased the number of COVID-19 cases overall, there was no such dramatic surge in the care world.”

Between June 24 and July 9, Wisconsin sets two new daily records of coronavirus cases, and Governor Tony Evers does not travel to delay the spread of the virus on the holiday of July 4. I urged people to do so.

In many communities, especially Collegetown, there was a rapid increase in infection among young people at that time, which is increasing in number. In response, Dane County is new Public health order Closed indoor bar service and reduced restaurant capacity to 25%.

In nursing homes and nursing homes, strict measures are taken to prevent coronaviruses from entering or spreading within the facilities. Visits were temporarily banned and infected patients were quarantined. Regardless of these precautions, Kaiser’s review indicates that the facility is continually seeing an increase in the number of cases, which may have fatal consequences. Older people are more vulnerable to serious illness and mortality than younger people. At least 41% of all Wisconsin COVID-19 according to state data Dead (number I am in a nursing home.

As of July 15, 231 in Wisconsin Proactive research In nursing homes and nursing homes. A single positive case of coronavirus causes the study. State health officials can detect COVID-19 in nursing homes by ensuring that nursing homes follow proper notification procedures and use appropriate isolation and infection control techniques to protect residents and employees. It says that it is doing.

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However, those advocating for the elderly say they need to do more, such as regular and ongoing testing and the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment.

“Unfortunately, the virus is spreading like wildfires through nursing homes, both in Wisconsin and the country,” says Lisa Ramkins, AARP Wisconsin Federal Advocate Director. The measures are not yet in place.” “Parliament has passed four bills to deal with the devastating effects of the coronavirus, but they barely touched the crisis in long-term care facilities.”

May, Director Evers $100 million We have also announced a federal pandemic funding from the CARES Act to nursing homes and emergency medical services, and plans to test residents and workers in all nursing homes.

However, the time it takes to get results means that the disease can spread without the patient or staff being aware that they are infected. Sauer said that quick and reliable tests should be used according to best infection control practices.

“If state and federal governments can work together to see how the provider community has access to rapid results testing, we can do a lot to better protect the people under our control.” He said.

Even before the pandemic, nursing homes were financially struggling and experienced staff shortages. Since 2016, more than 30 skilled nursing homes have been closed in Wisconsin.