Nursing homes struggle with staffing amid outbreaks

Associated Press (AP) — Nursing homes in parts of New York hit worst by this winter’s COVID-19 surge say they’re struggling to find enough staff as workers have gotten sick or needed to quarantine.

About 80 nursing homes have reported nursing shortages as of early January, according to The Associated Press’ analysis of the latest federal and state data. Most are located in parts of western and central New York that saw their first serious outbreaks of the virus begin in late autumn.

At The Pearl nursing home in Rochester, a core group of nurses worked double shifts for weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, said administrator Christine Schaller.

“I have people who didn’t take any days off,” she said. “That’s how we survived.”

The 120-bed nursing home didn’t see its first COVID-19 case until October. Since then, 14 residents have been killed by the disease. At least 40 staff members there have become ill, according to federal data.

“It’s been, for a few people, so frightening that they just were unable to work, they were so frightened,” she said. “I’ve have some staff members who are going to have long term physical health problems from COVID. They’ve recovered from the disease and still have respiratory issues that are probably going to be lifelong.”

Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living, said homes are struggling with shortages caused by staff testing positive for the virus.

“It’s really difficult. They are pulling out all their stops doing everything they can to ensure adequate staff in facilities,” Hanse said.

The number of new COVID-19 cases has flattened in New York in recent days, but the state has still recorded nearly 600,000 new infections and 6,800 deaths since Dec. 1.

The toll has been particularly high in nursing homes. At least 1,700 residents with COVID-19 have died in nursing homes since Dec. 1, according to a state count. The figure likely understates the number of fatalities, since New York doesn’t report how many nursing home residents died after being transferred to hospitals.  ...