New York

By: April Cinco

My name is Casey Starr. on May 3, 2020 we got the disheartening news that my grandfather was diagnosed with Covid-19

Doctors believe its because of his age and his history of heart disease and high blood pressure.

...At the hospital

What is

Covid-19?

We are going to have to isolate your grandfather. I'd advise you to wear a mask. Please follow me so we can discuss.

And to answer your question, Covid-19, otherwise known as Coronavirus, is a spread by respiratory droplets from an infected person such as cough, sneeze or by touching a surface an infected person has touched then proceeding to touch your nose, eyes, or mouth. Without care or delayed treatment, this affects your organs from your lungs to your kidneys causing them to shut down. Those who recovered also suffer long-term damage from their bodies immune system battling the virus undergoing so much stress .

As I am in the hospital with him I am told by a health care administrator what the total cases in new york are.

As of May 3, 2020:

Total number of cases- 319,213

Total deaths - 24,368

Active cases- 244,278

How is his life going to be like during his recovery?

Covid-19 pandemic has made a huge impact and we have faced numerous challenges in the health care field. Long-term care facilities that deliver clinical care at homes or a patients private home such as , nursing homes, skilled nursing homes, home health providers, assisted living facilities are associated with at least 1/5th deaths from Coronavirus.

The reason being is because we mainly care for the older population, which are the most vulnerable crowd, if one gets sick in the facility where they are all confined in one home it becomes highly transmissible. Because of their older age and weak immunity, it is easier for them to obtain Covid-19 are severe illness (CDC). 

When Covid-19 first emerged we were not prepared for this escalation. For instance, ArchCare which runs 4 nursing homes here in New York have a shortage of supplies and protective gear for their staff. It was so bad that employees were given one N95 masks to last them the rest of the week.

Long-term care facilities and nursing homes seem to be second-tier priority to hospitals. Hospitals get supplies first such as:

gowns, masks, PPE, and tests.

Based on the American Community Survey, 4.5 million health care workers in long-term care settings (Orgera, 2020), infected patients are in close contact with our nursing staff. This puts them at risk, which can spread to other patients they are caring for, which can spread back home to their families, and becomes a never ending loop

I must let you know, according to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo administration's new list, since March 1, 2020, around 4,813 people in the state of New York died in nursing homes and care facilities.

According to statistics, 22 nursing homes have reported at least 40 deaths from New York City and Long Island areas with the highest number of deaths, 71 people, coming from Parker Jewish Institute in Queens.

According to WKBW, as of May 1, 2020, there has been a report of nearly 100 deaths associated with Covid-19 patients in nursing homes.

Now, Isabelle Geriatric Center in Manhattan has the highest deaths in their nursing home with 52 people and 46 confirmed fatalities linked to Coronavirus (Associated Press, 2020).

That is so sad!!

Do you know what is being done about it?

What are health care providers in these facilities doing to try and decrease these numbers?

You see Casey, there is only so much that we can do. We are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to try and prevent the spread of this virus to nursing homes, care facilities, and assisted living communities.

What we are doing is keeping our staff educated and up to date on anything relating to Corona Virus. Also, if any of our staff is feeling ill, they must stay home.

Our staff must continuously wash their hands and use personal protective equipment (PPE). For the time being, we even restricted all non-essential individuals from visiting the facilities, that includes resident's friend and family.

Any staff or individual that enters the building must be screened for any possible exposure to Coronavirus before proceeding.

We even have to cancel trips and restrict group activities outside or inside the facility limiting their contact with other people.

Furthermore, if any of our residents show signs or symptoms of Covid-19, we conduct a procedure called droplet precaution, isolate them, and contact the local health department.

New York has the highest number of cases and deaths in the United States. We are trying our best and if everyone does their part we can overcome this pandemic.

CALIFORNIA

BY: HEMEN TEFERA

My name is Annie. Today is my grandmother's birthday. I'm going to WE CARE NURSING HOME to celebrate it with her.

Hello Annie, my name is Abby. I am the healthcare administrator of WE CARE NURSING HOME. We are not accepting visitors into the facility at the moment.

Today is my grandmother's birthday. I have to see her. She's probably waiting for me.

I understand, but we are not accepting visitors at this time to protect residents from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Let me explain to you why we are limiting visitation at this time

Nursing home facilities are limiting visitations all over the United States to protect residents from the COVID-19 pandemic. The elderly are more at risk of getting COVID-19, because their immune system is law.

Most of the residents at WE CARE NURSING HOME suffer from heart disease, lung disease, diabetics, and Kidney disease, which weakens their bodies ability to fight other Diseases.

Corona Virus Cases in California as of May 6, 2020

60,222

Confiremed Cases

2,449

Death

From April 23 to May 1, the number of deaths in nursing homes increased by 51%. Deaths doubled in assisted living facilities between April 20-May 3. 644 residents deaths have occurred at skilled nursing facilities throughout California. Long-term care home residents in California account for almost 40% of COVID-19 deaths in the county.

I hope now you have a better understanding of why we are limiting visitations at WE CARE NURSING HOME.

I am now well aware of why the facility is taking these actions to protect the residents.

Thank you for keeping my grandma safe during this hard time. I'll FaceTime my grandma when I get home and wish her a happy birthday.