This report describes COVID-19 morbidity among residents of senior independent and assisted living communities in Seattle, WA. Findings suggest that symptom-based screening might not identify SARS-CoV-2 infections in independent and assisted living facility residents, underscoring the importance of adhering to CDC guidance to prevent COVID-19 transmission in senior living communities.
Community transmission of COVID-19 has been associated with rapid spread and high morbidity and mortality among older adults in long-term skilled nursing facilities. COVID-19 transmission in other types of senior living communities has not been described.
Following identification of two COVID-19 cases in a Seattle independent and assisted living facility, stringent preventive measures were implemented. In order to track transmission of COVID-19, all residents and staff members were tested for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and asked to complete a questionnaire about their symptoms; all residents were tested again 7 days later.
Symptom screening of residents did not identify persons who had positive test results for SARS-CoV-2; three of the four residents who had positive test results were asymptomatic at the time of testing, and one reported a cough that had resolved. Moreover, >40% of residents who had test results (whether positive or negative) reported one or more symptoms potentially compatible with COVID-19 during the preceding 2 weeks.
