The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is well-known for spreading quickly among residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. In a very vulnerable community, this has resulted in a high number of illnesses and deaths. Residents getting hemodialysis for the chronic renal disease may be at an even higher risk of viral infection, according to a recent study headed by researchers.
The researchers looked into a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in a 200-bed nursing home with an independently run on-site hemodialysis center in April 2020 for their study. Between April 16 and April 30, 32 of the facility's 170 residents got dialysis treatment. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 exposure was done on all but three of the residents before the end of the study period (they refused and were counted as negative).
According to the researchers, 15 of the 32 dialysis patients (47%) tested positive, whereas only 22 of the 138 inhabitants (16%) did. "Based on the findings, dialysis patients are more likely than other residents in a facility to experience repeated and protracted exposures to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and so maybe at a higher risk of infection and subsequent complications."
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According to the study, nursing homes and dialysis clinics must maintain clear and regular communication to strengthen infection control policies throughout the process of transporting people to dialysis and during dialysis itself to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. Dialysis patients should be closely watched, and testing priorities should take into account any contact with dialysis workers who may have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2."
"Early detection of cases, as well as rigorous infection prevention and management, are critical to protecting individuals in nursing homes with chronic kidney disease who are most vulnerable during the pandemic."
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