Senior receiving a COVID test

COVID-19 penetration rates remain lowest in independent care settings, finds the latest survey released Thursday by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care.

Confirmed positive COVID-19 tests were the highest within memory care (3.3%), followed by assisted living (2.4%) and independent living (0.3%), according to data provided by 52 operators. Suspected positive cases followed the same trend as confirmed cases, with memory care (0.7%) ranking the highest and independent living (0.1%) the lowest.

Due to sample size limitations, operator averages for skilled nursing units were not included in the survey, NIC reported.

Testing for coronavirus, according to survey results, was most prevalent in memory care (45.7%) and assisted living (41.7%), followed by independent living (18.5%). Approximately 78.5% of community staff, regardless of care setting, have been tested. An operator average of 5.2% tested positive and another 0.9% were suspected positive, for a community staff operator average COVID-19 penetration rate of 5.9%.