COVID: presymptomatic transmission in nursing home; test EARLY
Another study reinforced the urgency of testing people for SARS-CoV-2 in the asymptomatic or early symptomatic period: a detailed study of SARS-C0V-2 transmission in a skilled nursing facility in Washington state (see covid asx transmission nurs home nejm2020 in dropbox, or DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2008457 ) Details: -- this was the 2 nd nursing home affected by SARS-CoV-2 in King County, Washington: a skilled nursing facility with 116 beds -- nursing staff assessed nursing home residents (NHRs) twice daily for possible signs and symptoms of Covid-19, including oral temperatures and screening for cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or any other respiratory symptom. Healthcare personnel were also assessed for these at the beginning of each shift. -- March 1, one day after this intervention started, one healthcare worker was positive while working in a unit of the nursing home while symptomatic 3 days previously. -- March 5, the facility was informed that one of their