New COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents fell by 89 percent in that period, compared with 58 percent in the general public, according to CMS and Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University data cited by Kaiser Health News.
The data suggests that “the vaccine appears to be having a dramatic effect on reducing cases, which is extremely encouraging,” said Beth Martino, spokesperson for the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.
Nursing home staff and residents were some of the first Americans eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine this December. The vaccination rate among staffers is significantly lower than that of residents, though some nursing home associations told Kaiser Health News that the rate of staff vaccination is increasing.
More articles on post-acute care:
California sues largest US nursing home chain after exposé
Nursing homes are gaming CMS star ratings system, New York Times probe finds
CMS relaxes nursing home visitation guidelines
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