This study included all residents and HCWs in Israeli LTCFs who were screened weekly during the second wave of COVID-19, which occurred between July 13, 2020, and November 21, 2020. We compared COVID-19 morbidity and mortality of LTCF residents before and after the implementation of a weekly, nationwide, government-funded screening of LTCF personnel for SARS-CoV-2, starting July 13, 2020, and using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as the main testing technology.
LTCFs across Israel encompass a broad range of types of institutions ranging from home-like facilities to those providing specialized medical care. These facilities include long-term care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, residential homes, hostels for people with disabilities, palliative care centers, and rehabilitation centers. The wards are categorized based on the physical and cognitive function of their residents: independent, semi-independent, cognitively frail, frail, requiring simple nursing care, and requiring skilled nursing care. Independent residents are patients who are cognitively competent and do not need help with ADL. Semi-independent residents require some assistance due to disabilities. Frail patients are cognitively impaired and are either independent or need help with ADL. Patients requiring nursing care, skilled nursing care, and/or psychogeriatric care are patients who are cognitively impaired, need significant help with ADL, and need constant medical observation and monitoring.