Coronavirus Rising Risk of Injury or Death in Nursing Homes: Indiana National Guard Deployed
Nursing home residents in Illinois and Indiana have faced unprecedented dangers of serious injury or death this year, due not only to risks of exposure to the potentially deadly Coronavirus but also because of corresponding lockdowns implemented in both states to try and stop the spread of COVID-19. For more, read our earlier discussions in:
- Coronavirus: Nursing Homes in Indiana Reported to Have Almost Half of all COVID-19 Deaths
- Coronavirus: Nursing Home Liability for COVID-19 Injuries in Illinois and Indiana
- Coronavirus Nursing Homes in Indiana and Illinois: Evictions, Improper Care and Treatment, and Federal Injury Claims.
Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any light at the end of the tunnel for those living in local nursing home facilities or their loved ones. The risk of exposure to COVID resulting in serious bodily injury due to the Coronavirus is rising fast in our part of the country alongside an increasing danger of abuse or neglect in a restricted-access environment.
Global Ranking COVID Death Rates for Illinois and Indiana
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) monitors the Coronavirus Pandemic online, “…to present clear and sourced information for policymakers.” In last week’s FAS report, both Indiana and Illinois ranked very high in the worldwide spread of COVID-19.
During the week ending on November 15, 2020, Illinois ranked 22nd and Indiana ranked 35th in the world for Daily COVID Death Rates per Million Capita in the FAS Study.
Illinois and Indiana each had higher COVID death rates than the national rates for the United Kingdom, Argentina, Greece, and Mexico.
New COVID Statewide Restrictions in Illinois and Indiana
Consequently, in both states new coronavirus restrictions have been announced that impact nursing home residents and their loved ones, and the ability of family members and friends to readily access facilities both to visit and to monitor quality of care.
November 2020: COVID Restrictions in Illinois
In the State of Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker has announced a return to “Tier 3” restrictions for the entire state effective November 20, 2020. Read the transcript of his November 17, 2020, press conference and briefing here.
November 2020: COVID Restrictions in Indiana
This week, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 20—48, placing new Coronavirus Restrictions in the State of Indiana from November 15, 2020, through December 12, 2020. Each county is to be ranked for its risk of exposure to the Coronavirus, with those at higher risk having more stringent safety measures enforced.
The Governor’s Order also allows for individual communities in the Hoosier State to adopt their own COVID restrictions. Read, e.g., “Valpo urging tighter controls in face of rising COVID cases,” written by Phil Wieland and published by the NWI Times on November 16, 2020.
Can You Visit? AARP Nursing Home Visitation Map
The AARP is providing an online map that details each state’s requirements for visitation at a nursing home in its jurisdiction. See, “Track the Status of Nursing Home Visits in Your State,” written by Andrew Soergel and published by AARP on November 18, 2020 (daily updates).
On November 18, 2020, only the State of Hawaii had a total ban on public access to nursing homes and care facilities. According to AARP:
- Illinois Nursing Home Visitation: “At facilities that have decided to reopen and meet certain requirements, visitors may schedule outdoor visits during specified hours. Indoor visits are still limited to compassionate care situations. Visitors and residents must wear masks and practice physical distancing. Only two visitors are allowed per resident.”
- Indiana Nursing Home Visitation: “At facilities that have decided to reopen and meet certain requirements, visitors may schedule visits during specified hours. Outdoor visits are encouraged when possible, and visitors and residents must wear masks and practice physical distancing. The number of visitors allowed is determined by individual facilities.”
In both states, whether or not loved ones can visit a nursing home resident will depend upon the facility’s individual protocol. For many in both Indiana and Illinois, visits will be limited to videoconferencing with no physical contact allowed with the resident and no ability to observe conditions at the nursing home itself.
COVID Outbreaks at Nursing Homes in Illinois and Indiana
The vulnerability of those who reside in our local nursing homes makes them particularly high risk for exposure to the Coronavirus and becoming ill and injured due to COVID-19. Sadly, in both Indiana and Illinois the risk of serious injury or death due to COVID is a rising trend in our nursing homes.
COVID: Illinois Nursing Homes
The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among the residents and staff of long-term care facilities in the State of Illinois.
To learn of outbreak statistics on a county-by-county basis, listing each nursing home and care facility in that respective county, visit the IDPH site.
Overwhelmed Nursing Home Workers Threaten to Strike in Illinois
Things are getting even worse for Illinois nursing homes. In Chicago, workers at eleven (11) nursing homes owned and operated by Infinity Health Care are threatening to strike on November 23, 2020, in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Read “Workers at 11 Chicago-Area Nursing Homes Set Strike Date,” written by Lorraine Swanson and published by Patch on November 18, 2020.
COVID: Indiana Nursing Homes
Meanwhile, Indiana nursing homes are facing a similar surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. South Bend, for instance, reports Coronavirus cases that are higher than the state’s average. Read, “COVID hits a new set of nursing homes, as cases and deaths surge again in South Bend region,” written by Jeff Parrott and published by the South Bend Tribune on October 26, 2020.
Indiana National Guard Deployed to All Hoosier Nursing Homes
In response, Governor Eric Holcomb has ordered the Indiana National Guard to be deployed to every single nursing home in the Hoosier State. This will occur in three phases and will remain in effect at least through the end of the year. Read, “Indiana National Guard deployed to every nursing home in the state,” written by Rich Nye and published by WTHR on November 18, 2020.
Injury Dangers Facing Nursing Home Residents in Indiana and Illinois
With the expanding threat of Coronavirus in both Indiana and Illinois, it is understandable that authorities are taking action to protect against exposure and illness to everyone, including those who reside in local nursing homes and care facilities.
However, not only do the reports of outbreaks of COVID-19 in both Illinois and Indiana pose a serious threat to those who live in nursing homes, but the restrictions imposed both by government authorities as well as the nursing homes themselves increase the dangers faced by our most vulnerable loved ones.
Of particular concern: the nursing homes who have rated “much below average” in the latest federal rankings, recognized to be substandard, who are now not only not being monitored at the federal level but are denying access to their facilities on the grounds of COVID concerns.
For details, read our discussion in: Rising Danger of Nursing Home Injury: Federal Review Stayed Until 2022.
Many of these “much below average” nursing homes are offering only “virtual visits” through video calls or teleconferencing. This is supplemented by facility staff unilaterally sending updates by phone call or email as to the resident’s condition.
Given the known risk of abuse or neglect in substandard care facilities, the COVID outbreak restrictions may be designed to protect residents from the virus but are increasing the danger they will suffer other serious harm because no one is able to visit and monitor their situation.
If you or a loved one reside in a nursing home facility in Indiana or Illinois, then it is important that you understand there are avenues for justice in the event that you are the victim of abuse or neglect. The risk is high right now. Please be careful out there!!
