Nursing homes have been considered the most dangerous hotspots during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus impacted roughly 31,000 nursing homes in the United States. It has also infected more than 1 million residents and staff members. This resulted in more than 163,000 deaths. Overall, nursing homes accounted for only about 5 percent of infections in the U.S., but more than a third of all COVID-19 deaths, according to the New York Times. In Georgia, the coronavirus caused about a quarter of all nursing home deaths.
Nursing home residents are particularly at risk of infection and death. That's because the virus easily spreads through nursing homes. Many residents suffer from weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. The COVID-19 fatality rate across the U.S. is only about 2 percent of cases. It's about 10 percent in nursing homes.
Significant drop in COVID-19 cases and deaths
Since coronavirus vaccines were first distributed to nursing homes in December, the rate of new cases and deaths have dropped significantly. The decrease in cases and deaths outpaces the rest of the U.S., according to federal data. For example, new cases have fallen by more than 80 percent and deaths have fallen by more than 65 percent.
It's important not to rule out the natural decline in new cases among the general population. According to the American Health Care Association, however, nursing homes that received the vaccine in December had a 48 percent drop in new cases. Those that didn't receive the early vaccine only saw a 21 percent drop in new cases. This provides a glimmer of hope for the rest of the U.S. population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 4.5 million nursing home residents and staff members were given at least one dose of the vaccine. About 2.1 million of them have been fully vaccinated. This has brought the rate of new cases to its lowest point since May 2020. Now, residents are allowed to visit with family members in many facilities.
How to protect your loved one in a nursing home
As the cases of COVID-19 continue to drop in Georgia nursing homes, we hope to see an increase in family visits and quality of care in facilities. Visiting a loved one is not only a great way to support that person, but it's also a great way to monitor your loved one's health and safety. If you notice that something doesn't seem right when visiting your loved one, it's important to trust your instincts. Be sure to ask questions and raise the issue with the nursing home management. If your loved one is showing signs that he or she has endured physical or sexual abuse, contact the nearest law enforcement agency immediately.
The Law Office of George S. Johnson, LLC pursues justice on behalf of residents and their families. If a nursing home failed to protect your loved one, we'd be glad to conduct a thorough investigation and get to the bottom of what happened. Our legal team will help you build a strong case from start to finish. We'll determine how much you and your family are eligible to recover in damages, then we will fight for the compensation you deserve.
To get started on your claim, contact us online or call our office in Decatur for a free and confidential case evaluation.