COVID-19 Disease and Viral Characteristics in a Long-Term Care Facility

Authors

Shauna Assadzandi, West Virginia UniversityFollow
Emily Crocetti, Naval Hospital PensacolaFollow
Courtney S. Pilkerton, West Virginia UniversityFollow
Amie M. Ashcraft, West Virginia UniversityFollow
Carl D. Shrader, West Virginia UniversityFollow

Author Credentials

Shauna Assadzandi, MD Emily Crocetti, MD Courtney S. Pilkerton, MD, PhD Amie M. Ashcraft, PhD, MPH Carl D. Shrader, MD, PhD

Author ORCID Identifier

Amie Ashcraft ORCID Identifier - 0000-0002-7466-7612

Keywords

coronavirus, COVID-19, nursing home, long-term care facility

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Grant Award Number

National Institute of General Medical Sciences, U54GM104942

Abstract

Background

Due to the combination of age, comorbidities, and close living quarters, residents at long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at particularly high risk of severe symptoms and death due to COVID-19.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between demographic characteristics, symptom severity, and length of viral shedding in 49 residents testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a LTCF in West Virginia (WV).

Results

Over half of the residents were asymptomatic, while nearly a quarter experienced severe symptoms. Women were more likely to be asymptomatic, and age was not associated with symptom severity. While no specific medical condition was associated with symptom severity, having more chronic illnesses was associated. The length of time from initially positive to PCR negative ranged from 2 to 63 days, with an average of 29 days.

Conclusion

Given the variability in PCR testing reliability, 30 days of isolation and two consecutive negative PCR tests are recommended before reintegrating residents.

Recommended Citation

Assadzandi S, Crocetti E, Pilkerton CS, Ashcraft AM, Shrader CD. COVID-19 Disease and Viral Characteristics in a Long-Term Care Facility. Marshall J Med. 2021; 7(4) DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2379-9536.1341.