Floor swabs an early warning sign of COVID-19 outbreaks, researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
A 14-month program in 10 long-term care facilities has found that floor swabs accurately detect a COVID-19 outbreak days before it is identified by staff members.
COVID-19 mortality tied to racial disparities in nursing homes, industry expert says
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 11, 2021
Nursing homes with a non-white resident population of more than 40% have more than three times the rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths than those with fewer non-white residents, says R. Tamara Konetzka,...
Antigen tests just as effective as PCR in preventing COVID outbreaks, NIH study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
A “highly anticipated” study now shows that both testing approaches can give 98% sensitivity when used at least twice weekly in a screening program.
Gentle cleansers and harsh soaps equally effective at killing deadly viruses, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 13, 2023
Gentle cleansers are just as effective as harsh soaps at killing deadly viral pathogens — even after adding moisturizers, a new study has found.
FDA: Viral mutations unlikely to cause false negatives in COVID-19 tests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2021
The agency has alerted healthcare providers that it is monitoring approved SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests to ensure that new viral mutations do not alter their accuracy.
Nursing facilities in ‘hot spots’ to receive first batch of COVID-19 test equipment
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2020
About 2,000 nursing homes in regions where COVID-19 case counts are high will be the first to receive on-site diagnostic testing equipment from the federal government.
Losing smell and taste signals COVID-19 infection with high recovery likelihood: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 13, 2020
Patients with smell and taste loss are more than 10 times more likely to have a COVID-19 infection than another virus, report researchers.
Early vaccination sped up decline in COVID infections, study in Genesis facilities finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
Nursing homes that administered shots early in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout experienced a lower rate of new infections compared to later-vaccinating sites. The results underscore the efficacy of the drugs...
CDC director talks to McKnight’s about flu season, COVID-19 mitigation and nursing home data
By
Liza Berger
Jul 17, 2020
Senior Editor Liza Berger spoke with Robert Redfield, M.D., about some of the most pressing issues in the eldercare industry.
CDC to fund LTC infection control strike teams nationwide starting in October
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 20, 2021
The initiative will allow states and other U.S. jurisdictions to “staff, train and deploy” strike teams to help long-term care operations with known or suspected COVID-19 infections, CDC says.