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COVID-19

COVID-19 Infection Does Not Aggravate Mortality in Long-Term Care Facilities

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research from Japan sheds light on the vulnerability of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) to COVID-19, even during the Omicron outbreak. A study conducted in a 450-bed LTCF found that mortality was lower in the infected group than in the uninfected group, and infection was not significantly associated with increased mortality. The study suggests that enhanced protocols, such as strict infection control and early antiviral treatment, may have improved survival outcomes, even among uninfected residents.

Key Takeaways:

  • A retrospective cohort study in a 450-bed LTCF found that mortality was lower in the infected group than in the uninfected group (16% vs. 26%).
  • Infection was not significantly associated with increased mortality (HR = 1.36; 95% CI: 0.91-2.04; **p** = 0.14).
  • The study found that overall mortality during the outbreak period was unexpectedly lower than in prior periods, despite the presence of Omicron.
  • Enhanced protocols, such as strict infection control and early antiviral treatment, may have improved survival outcomes, even among uninfected residents.
  • The study highlights the importance of rigorous infection control and early antiviral treatment in reducing mortality in LTCFs.
  • The research was funded by Jsps-in Aid For Scientific Research (Kakenhi C), Japan.
  • The study included 623 residents, with 253 infected with COVID-19.
  • The study found that mortality trends varied across three periods: pre-COVID-19 (2018-2019), COVID-19 present in Japan but absent in the facility (2020-2021), and the Omicron outbreak period (2022-2023).

Statistics:

  • Mortality in the infected group was 16% (95% CI: 10-25%).
  • Mortality in the uninfected group was 26% (95% CI: 20-35%).
  • The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality associated with infection was 1.36 (95% CI: 0.91-2.04).
  • The p-value for the association between infection and mortality was 0.14.
  • The study included 623 residents, with 253 infected with COVID-19.
  • The Omicron outbreak period saw a significantly lower mortality rate than prior periods.

Sources:

  • The COVID-19 Infection Did Not Aggravate the Mortality of Long-Term Care Facility Residents Under Strict Infection Control and with Immediate Anti-Viral Treatment: Real-World Analysis. Viruses, 2025, 17(5):625. (Viruses - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses).
  • NewsRx. Data on COVID-19 Detailed by Researchers at Department of Medicine (The COVID-19 Infection Did Not Aggravate the Mortality of Long-Term Care Facility Residents Under Strict Infection Control and with Immediate Anti-Viral Treatment: Real-World ...). Drug Week. June 13, 2025; p 71.

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