For the first time, Michigan regulators released records about the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes. It’s as bad as many thought: more than 2,100 cases at 141 homes. (With database to search for homes)
Michigan will follow roughly 18 other states in publicly identifying nursing homes and long-term care facilities stricken by the virus. Watchdog groups say that is critical information for residents and their families.
Michigan will not release the names of nursing homes where there are COVID-19 infections, nor will the City of Detroit or Wayne County, citing privacy concerns. Other states are moving toward identifying infected nursing homes.
Unlike other states, Michigan doesn’t release information about coronavirus recoveries, patients on ventilators or in intensive care. Michigan is tied with six other states in releasing the least data, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
More than 80 Michigan nursing homes were cited for infection prevention or control deficiencies in the past three years, including a few with recently confirmed cases of COVID-19.
COVID-19 has breached the walls at Michigan nursing homes, where vulnerable residents are at risk because of tight quarters, a shortage of supplies and low-paid workers. In Macomb County, one home is begging for help.
For many of Michigan’s elderly, shuttered senior centers, bans on visits at nursing homes and canceled worship services threaten to cut off contact with friends and children.
