Is there plenty of PPE out there? 

In some places, sure. But a long-term-care interest group crunched the numbers and found that where the virus is raging, PPE is lacking in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. 

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, which advocates on behalf of long-term care services, both for- and nonprofit, has put out a database compiled from Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) figures, breaking down the lack of PPE by individual facility. 

They also listed the rate of positive tests in each state. In states with a positivity rate greater than five percent, the nursing homes lack a week’s supply of PPE

CMS is now requiring that in states with a positivity rate greater than five percent, nursing homes need to test staff weekly. 

That will be difficult with inadequate PPE. 

“The continued shortage of vital PPE supplies for nursing homes across the U.S. is a major concern especially for states with recent spikes in new COVID cases,” said Mark Parkinson, President & CEO of the American Health Care Association. He called for governors to ensure the safety of nursing home patients and the staff who care for them.

As of July 30, New York’s positivity rate is 1.9 percent, according to the data, and Pennsylvania’s is 5.9 percent. (Statewide: individual counties may vary.)

According to the CMS database, in NY, both the Care Center at Sunset Lake and Achieve Rehab had a week’s supply of PPE. In PA, Ellen Memorial, Wayne Woodlands and the Julia Ribaudo Extended Care Center all reported at least a week’s supply of PPE.