There were 9,715 new COVID-19 cases recorded among nursing home residents the week of July 26, up from 9,421 for the same period on May 31, according to a report Monday from the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).
The spike was driven by new infections from the Sun Belt states, some of which have become hot spots for the virus.
At least 78% of the infected nursing home residents in late July were in the Southern region that spans from California to Florida, the data shows.
“With the recent major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we were very concerned this trend would lead to an increase in cases in nursing homes and unfortunately it has,” Mark Parkinson, president of the AHCA/NCAL, said in a statement.
“This is especially troubling since many nursing homes and other long term care facilities are still unable to acquire the personal protective equipment and testing they need to fully combat this virus.”
Parkinson is calling on Congress to provide additional funding to nursing homes and assisted living communities for resources to protect vulnerable residents and staff from the virus, including testing and PPE.
“Without adequate funding and resources, the US will end up repeating the same mistakes from several months ago,” Parkinson said.
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New COVID-19 cases in nursing homes soar past peak levels
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