Finally Some Good News for California Nursing Community Residents

CBS 8 reports that COVID-19 has nearly vanished from California nursing communities after claiming the lives of more than 9,000 residents and staffers. The California Department of Public Health estimates that fewer than 15 new cases were reported each day in March, and deaths plunged to between one and six people daily. That is compared to the winter surge's peak, when more than 80 residents died every day from the virus. Health experts attribute the decline to a vast nationwide campaign to inoculate older and frail residents and caregivers. Roughly 87 percent of the 85,000 residents in California's skilled nursing communities have been fully vaccinated. Deaths and infections also have fallen in the state's 7,400-plus assisted living and other long-term care communities. About 3,700 residents and staff in those communities have died from COVID-19, while 233 active cases have been recorded in the past week. California nursing communities are carefully reopening, with some allowing fully vaccinated residents to dine together in small groups, receive visitors, and gather for group activities.