COVID-19 Death Rate In WI Nursing Homes Doubles: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — The COVID-19 death rate among residents in Wisconsin nursing homes doubled — from 0.05 per 100 residents to 0.11 per 100 residents — between August and September, an analysis from AARP said.

Some 20 nursing home residents in Wisconsin died from the coronavirus at the end of the summer, the organization said. More than 2,000 people died from the virus in nursing homes across the nation.

Nursing home staff case rates also rose, from 1.5 per 100 residents to 2.5 per 100.

Some 16.5 percent of Wisconsin nursing homes reported COVID-19 cases in the last four weeks, the organization said.

Resident coronavirus case rates rose from 0.3 per 100 residents at the end of August to 0.9 per 100 residents, organization data shows.

Cases and deaths would be higher if not for the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots for eligible residents and staff, AARP's Wisconsin Director Sam Wilson said.

Some 87.7 percent of Wisconsin nursing home residents are fully vaccinated against the virus, organization data shows. Some 65 percent of health care staff is fully vaccinated in the state.

People 80 to 89 years old made up 30.1 percent of total coronavirus deaths in Wisconsin, according to Wisconsin Department of Health Services data. Long-term care facility residents make up 40 percent of total deaths.

See Also:

• 65 WI COVID Deaths In 2 Days: Highest Average Since February
• Wisconsin's COVID-19 Deaths Pass 8,000