J Infect Chemother. April 13, 2022: S1341-321X(22)00119-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2022.04.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Nursing facilities are vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the congregate nature of their housing, advanced age of residents, and variety of chronic geriatric conditions. Little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 nursing facility on the local healthcare system.

METHODS: We collected data on COVID-19 cases in Nagasaki city from April 15, 2020 to June 30, 2021. We conducted universal screening of healthcare workers (HCWs) and users of healthcare facilities, once the first case of COVID-19 was detected at that facility. People living in the community were tested if they had symptoms or were suspected of having close contact with the positive cases. The epidemiological investigation for each case of COVID-19 was carried out by the public health officers of the local public health center.

RESULTS: Of 111,773 community-dwelling elderly (age ≥65 years) and 20,668 nursing facility users in Nagasaki City, we identified 358 and 71 cases of COVID-19, and 33 and 12 deaths by COVID-19, respectively, during the study period. The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for COVID-19 and its deaths among nursing facility users were 1.07 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82-1.39) and 1.97 (95% CI, 0.92-3.91) compared to community. elderly people who live. Four clusters, which had more than 10 COVID-19 cases, accounted for 60% (65/109) of all cases by healthcare workers and consumers.

CONCLUSIONS: Preventing COVID-19 clusters is important to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among the nursing facility population.

PMID:35461770 | DOI:10.1016/j.jiac.2022.04.010