Texas Has 10th Highest Nursing Homes Coronavirus Positivity Rate

AUSTIN, TX — Texas has the nation's 10th largest positivity rate for the coronavirus, a new state-by-state breakdown shows.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living extrapolated data from John Hopkins University in compiling its list. The study also assessed personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages on nursing homes, which researchers "...which is very concerning in relation to our efforts to protect our long term care residents and caregivers from outbreaks," analysts wrote.

For the latter category, researchers compiled data released July 30 from required federal reporting by nursing homes across the country on current supply of PPE (N95 masks, surgical masks, gowns). Here is a PDF version of the data.

According to the findings, there are 33 states with a positive rate of more than 5 percent, which analysts said underscores the "...urgent need for increased testing and PPE to keep the virus from spreading." As illustrated by data on current PPE supplies in nursing homes, many states still have a significant percentage of facilities without vital PPE, including N95 masks, surgical masks, and gowns, researchers said.

In Texas, a positivity rate of 12.9 percent was recorded — the nation's tenth highest level. Researchers counted 1,219 nursing homes operating across the state. Rounding up the top ten list in descending order were: Arizona (22.7 percent); Mississippi (21.5 percent); Florida (19.2 percent); Alabama (19.1 percent); Idaho (17.6 percent); South Carolina (15.9 percent); Nevada (14.4 percent); Georgia (14.3 percent); and Missouri (13 percent).

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials on July 22 said the group "...will begin requiring, rather than recommending, that all nursing homes in states with a 5 percent positivity rate or greater test all nursing home staff each week.” If implemented today, researchers noted, 11,640 nursing homes would be required to conduct such weekly testing.

American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living facilities, sent a letter two weeks ago to the National Governors Association warning states of imminent outbreaks at nursing homes and assisted living facilities given the major spikes in new cases in several states across the U.S., combined with serious PPE shortages and significant delays (up to five days or more) in getting testing results for long term care residents and caregivers.

“Governors and state health agencies, especially in these 34 states, need to take immediate action to protect our seniors and health care heroes by ensuring long term facilities have adequate supplies of PPE (including N95 masks) and staff support as well as facilitating expedited test results for our residents and caregivers," Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, said in a prepared statement. "We also need members of the public to do their part to help reduce spread by wearing a mask in public and continuing to practice social distancing. We all have a duty to defend our nation’s greatest generation and their essential caregivers.”

Parkinson expressed worry over the level of available PPE amid the ongoing reach of coronavirus: "The continued shortage of vital PPE supplies for nursing homes across the U.S. is a major concern especially for states with recent spikes in new COVID cases," he said.

To see the full study, click here.