Assessing Connecticut’s Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 in Long Term Care Facilities

Mathematica and its partner at UConn Health Center on Aging assessed the COVID-19 outbreak in Connecticut long-term care facilities compared to other states in the region and the country as a whole, and identified the facility- and resident-level characteristics that predict the severity of COVID-19 outbreaks within nursing homes. Additionally, Mathematica assessed the state and long-term care industry’s preparedness for and response to an infectious disease outbreak like COVID-19. Finally, Mathematica put forth a set of 45 recommendations for the state and industry to consider in the short-term and long-term to mitigate subsequent waves of COVID-19 and prevent future infectious disease outbreaks in long-term care facilities. The final report relies on data collected and analyzed from July 13 to September 15, 2020 which includes publicly reported information, data and documentation provided by the state, and interviews with key stakeholders.