Nursing homes residents account for one-third of #COVID19 deaths in Belgium https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😢" title="Crying face" aria-label="Emoji: Crying face">; ~90% facilities face outbreaks, despite early "lockdown". Three big mistakes to avoid (1/n)

@wassdoc @AMDApaltc @GaurMd @AGSJournal @GeriSoc @drjohnmorley @UCSFGeriatrics @mancunianmedic #WeArePALTC

1: All visitors were banned from nursing homes, but residents were still allowed to visit each other https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😒" title="Unamused face" aria-label="Emoji: Unamused face">. One story about 5 friends who kept regular contact during quarantine and died, was needed to enforce internal #socialdistancing within nursing homes https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/03/24/vijf-bewoners-van-zelfde-complex-met-serviceflats-in-borgerhout/">https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl...

2: Lack of PPE and PCR testing. Hospitals were given priority, which is understandable. However, this leaves the weakest groups unprotected. Consequently, one of the youngest deaths was a 30-year-old nursing home aid. Her name was Isuara. https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20200328_04905448/wzc-waar-jongste-slachtoffer-werkte-vraagt-overheid-om-zorgpersoneel-te-testen">https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20...

3: Weak policies. Guidelines detailed which patients should NOT be referred to hospital anymore, and which older adults should NOT be referred to ICU. But primary care physicians were not told what they should do. Facebook groups were used to exchange info https://www.tijd.be/dossiers/coronavirus/rusthuizen-moeten-onbeschermd-corona-te-lijf/10217057.html">https://www.tijd.be/dossiers/...

To sum up immediate actions:
1/Keep everyone in their rooms
2/Prevent residents getting infection from staff by enforcing universal masking
3/Nursing homes should get top priority to avoid healthcare system overload. Send them material and expertise asap (/end)