Nursing Homes Face Serious Problems from Coronavirus
2020-03-11
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1Housing centers for old people in the United States are buying large numbers of masks and thermometers because of coronavirus.
2They are also screening visitors and preparing for shortages of health workers.
3In China, where the new virus began, the disease has been much deadlier for old people.
4In Italy, the most affected country in Europe, more than 100 people have died from COVID-19.
5All either were old, already had health problems or both.
6Of the 21 deaths across the U.S. as of Sunday, at least 16 had been linked to a home for old people near Seattle, Washington.
7The Seattle Times reported that a second similar home and a retirement community in the area had each reported one case of the virus.
8That has gotten the attention of other old people homes in the U.S., especially in Florida and California.
9Both those states have large numbers of old people.
10About 2.5 million people live in long-term care centers in the United States.
11"For people over the age of 80 ... the (death) rate could be as high as 15 percent," said Mark Parkinson.
12He is president of the American Health Care Association.
13The federal government inspects such centers.
14It is now working on plans to control infection centers with confirmed cases of coronavirus.
15Federal rules already require the centers to employ an infectious disease prevention specialist.
16However, action to deal with the coronavirus has been uneven at such centers.
17About 160,000 old people live in some type of special care homes in Florida.
18These places are not screening visitors "because we're not at that stage," said Kristen Knapp.
19She is a spokeswoman for the Florida Health Care Association.
20The Palm Gardens Corporation operates 14 Florida old people homes.
21Each is now requiring visitors to answer some questions upon arrival.
22They are asked about their health, recent travel and contact with others said company Vice President Luke Neumann.
23At the South Shore Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center south of Boston, patient Leo Marchand keeps a container of disinfecting cloths near his bed.
24He uses one several times a day.
25The 71-year-old retired truck driver has breathing problems.
26The possibility of getting the coronavirus worries him.
27Many old people housing centers across the country have reported difficulties in finding medical masks and clothing because of shortages.
28Some visitors have been angry about the screenings.
29Janet Snipes is the director of the Holly Heights Nursing Center in Denver.
30She said it has been difficult to explain to visitors that the screening is necessary to keep the old people there safe.
31I'm Susan Shand.
1Housing centers for old people in the United States are buying large numbers of masks and thermometers because of coronavirus. They are also screening visitors and preparing for shortages of health workers. 2In China, where the new virus began, the disease has been much deadlier for old people. In Italy, the most affected country in Europe, more than 100 people have died from COVID-19. All either were old, already had health problems or both. 3Of the 21 deaths across the U.S. as of Sunday, at least 16 had been linked to a home for old people near Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Times reported that a second similar home and a retirement community in the area had each reported one case of the virus. 4That has gotten the attention of other old people homes in the U.S., especially in Florida and California. Both those states have large numbers of old people. 5About 2.5 million people live in long-term care centers in the United States. 6"For people over the age of 80 ... the (death) rate could be as high as 15 percent," said Mark Parkinson. He is president of the American Health Care Association. 7The federal government inspects such centers. It is now working on plans to control infection centers with confirmed cases of coronavirus. 8Federal rules already require the centers to employ an infectious disease prevention specialist. However, action to deal with the coronavirus has been uneven at such centers. 9About 160,000 old people live in some type of special care homes in Florida. These places are not screening visitors "because we're not at that stage," said Kristen Knapp. She is a spokeswoman for the Florida Health Care Association. 10The Palm Gardens Corporation operates 14 Florida old people homes. Each is now requiring visitors to answer some questions upon arrival. They are asked about their health, recent travel and contact with others said company Vice President Luke Neumann. 11At the South Shore Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center south of Boston, patient Leo Marchand keeps a container of disinfecting cloths near his bed. He uses one several times a day. The 71-year-old retired truck driver has breathing problems. The possibility of getting the coronavirus worries him. 12Many old people housing centers across the country have reported difficulties in finding medical masks and clothing because of shortages. 13Some visitors have been angry about the screenings. Janet Snipes is the director of the Holly Heights Nursing Center in Denver. She said it has been difficult to explain to visitors that the screening is necessary to keep the old people there safe. 14I'm Susan Shand. 15The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 16Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. 17____________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19mask - n. a protective covering for the mouth and nose to prevent the spread of infectious material 20screening - n. to look at individuals to determine their health 21thermometer - n. an instrument used for measuring a person's temperature 22stage - n. a particular point or period in the growth or development of something