Spread of COVID-19 into care homes for the elderly

Subject: Spread of COVID-19 into care homes for the elderly

An increasing spread of the coronavirus is being detected in institutions and care facilities for the elderly. According to a report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) dated 19 May 2020, COVID-19 mortality rates among the inmates of care homes is very high in Europe. The widespread contamination of the elderly is being attributed to care workers in these facilities, since visits have been banned to counter the spread of the virus. At the same time, the lack of common test and trace procedures in the Member States means that the number of cases is being underestimated, making it difficult to contain the spread. Because of widespread pre-existing neuropathological disorders or dementia among the patients concerned, coronavirus infection is harder to diagnose and has already reached an advanced stage when symptoms are finally detected.

In view of this:

1. What is the Commission’s assessment of the proposals contained in the ECDC report?

2. What specific action has it sought for the introduction of common legislative framework provisions to protect the health of European citizens in care homes for the elderly?

3. Can funding from European programmes be channelled into additional protection for the elderly in private care homes and facilities during the pandemic?

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(3 February 2021)

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge, with far-reaching impacts on public health and vulnerable groups, including elderly and persons living in long-term care facilities. The Commission is coordinating responses to the coronavirus outbreak and is mobilising all means to help Member States. However, the organisation and delivery of healthcare are competences of Member States, and national governments decide on the specific measures.

The Commission, supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) (1), works closely with Member States to protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19, including older people living in care homes . As all Member States experienced COVID-19 outbreaks among long-term care residents, ECDC published in November 2020 a document (2) that summarises current knowledge on the dynamics and determinants of such outbreaks and offers options for response in the areas of management, testing, prevention and control of transmission, and vaccination, all within the context of long-term care. In addition, the Commission has been in close contact with the social services sector on the challenges arising in long-term care settings and providing support.

On 11 November 2020, the Commission proposed a package to protect the health of EU citizens based on lessons learned during the pandemic (3). Moreover, actions for supporting improvements of access to healthcare for vulnerable groups might potentially be supported from 2021 by the proposed EU4Health programme (4). Finally, the upcoming Green Paper on Ageing and its consultation will provide an opportunity to discuss challenges and possible solutions in the long-term care of the elderly.

⋅1∙ The issues of vulnerable groups/long-term facilities has been addressed in various ECDC guidance documents including:

Guidance on the provision of support for medically and socially vulnerable populations in EU/EEA countries and the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Medically-and-socially-vulnerable-populations-COVID-19.pdf Surveillance of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities in the EU/EEA

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/surveillance-COVID-19-long-term-care-facilities-EU-EEA Infection prevention and control and preparedness for COVID-19 in healthcare settings — fifth update https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/infection-prevention-and-control-and-preparedness-covid-19-healthcare- settings

Key aspects regarding the introduction and prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccination in the EU/EEA and the UK

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Key-aspects-regarding-introduction-and-prioritisation-of-COVID-19- vaccination.pdf ⋅2∙

Increase in fatal cases of COVID-19 among long-term care facility residents in the EU/EEA and the UK

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/rapid-risk-assessment-increase-fatal-cases-covid-19-among-long-term-care- facility

⋅3∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union_en

⋅4∙ https://ec.europa.eu/health/funding/eu4health_en