1, more than 114,600 people ages 65 and above have contracted the virus in Georgia, according to the state Department of Public Health.Īnd, although better prepared, nursing homes are still reporting a rise in cases among residents and staffers.ĬDC data shows a steady increase in the number of individuals testing positive since the end of May. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in northwest Atlanta, where two residents were diagnosed with COVID last week. “This is just going to be part of our lives,” said Beth Laxton, executive director of the Sadie G. However, “the good news is that vaccines and boosters have been effective so now most cases are mild and our elders are not at risk like they were. “The pandemic is not over,” said Ginny Helms, president of LeadingAge Georgia, an association that supports the not-for-profit and mission-driven organization that provide housing and services for seniors. Explore How hospitals are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic While vaccinated and boosted people could still become infected with the virus, they are less likely to become seriously ill or die. The latest coronavirus subvariant - BA.5 - is more contagious than previous versions, evading individual immunity from past infections or protection from vaccines. In the height of the pandemic, relatives and friends were restricted to seeing their loved ones during video chats, window visits, phone calls and later were allowed outdoor in-person visits. Some say that’s flirting with danger, but others say the toll from not allowing people to visit their loved ones created its own set of problems, creating anxiety, fear and depression among both residents and family members. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal program that provides health coverage through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace, has recommended people wear masks and get temperature checks but said the doors should remain open to visitors. In-person visits can ease anxiety, improve morale and emotional wellbeing and the presence of family can also put an extra set of eyes on a patient’s needs, according to experts.Įxplore Complete coverage of COVID-19 in Georgia
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