key: cord-0898552-sqfx171j authors: Ga, Hyuk; Won, Chang Won; Lee, Eunju; Kim, Chang Oh; Jang, Il-Young; Jang, Hak Chul; Cho, Hang-Suk; Kim, Sun-wook title: The Korean Geriatrics Society COVID-19 Strategy for Older Adults date: 2020-06-26 journal: Ann Geriatr Med Res DOI: 10.4235/agmr.20.0031 sha: 882708ae48959b67adb37ca2208798c957cd872c doc_id: 898552 cord_uid: sqfx171j nan strategies for long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) among those for LTCFs. LTCHs are a wide-spread unique form of hospitals for frail and activities of daily living (ADL)-dependent older people in Korea; however, we assumed that the strategies for LTCHs are similar to those for LTCFs (nursing homes). 12, 13) Second, we emphasized the importance of wearing facemasks regularly even in encounters with older adults or healthcare workers without respiratory symptoms, as 5% to 75% of positive cases are reportedly asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers. 14) Third, we divided the LTCF strategies into three parts; namely, blocking spread INTO, WITHIN, and BETWEEN facilities. In addition, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a temporary regulation that permits telephone-based consultation and prescription and covers half of the expenses for COVID-19 testing for all new inpatients of LTCHs. 11) On May 2, 2020, the KCDC announced zero positive cases from randomly-screened samples from among 6,544 residents and care assistants of 46 LTCHs in the Seoul area. 15) However, new outbreaks have occurred since then and even tertiary transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in communities; 16) therefore, we believe our recommendations should be strictly followed until these conditions resolve, with revision of these guidelines as needed. World Health Organization. Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation reports World Health Organization; c2020 COVID-19: the case for health-care worker screening to prevent hospital transmission Risk factors and causes of short-term mortality after emergency department discharge in older patients: using nationwide health insurance claims data Prevalence of frailty in nursing homes: a systematic review and meta-analysis Use of the frailty index and FRAIL-NH scale for the assessment of the frailty status of elderly individuals admitted in a long-term care hospital in Korea Mortality associated with COVID-19 outbreaks in care homes: early international evidence International Long Term Care Policy Network Preventive strategies for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection in older adults ?num = 2215&start = 10&sort = top %20desc,num%20de-sc&code= notice&key= &keyword= Rub your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, especially after nose-blowing, coughing, and visiting public places. B. Hand sanitizers containing 60% alcohol can be used instead of soap and water Try to avoid touching your face, nose, and eyes with your bare hands Stay at home and avoid visiting crowded or enclosed spaces When going out, wear facemasks for the safety of yourselves and others Keep yourselves healthy with indoor exercise, regular eating, and sun exposure When prescribed medicines whose stocks are low, ask healthy family for prescription. For residents and health-care workers in long-term care facilities A. Blocking spread INTO facilities 1. Managing visitors -Regulation of interviewers: communication with residents via video-telephoning is recommended -Minimizing work experience of trainees and strict education regarding infection control -Minimizing volunteer activities Post signs at the entrances requesting that visitors not enter if they have one of the respiratory symptoms or signs: fever 37.5°C or more, coughing, or dyspnea Educate healthcare workers to abstain from joining external meetings and dining together and to wear facemasks if they should meet people All healthcare workers should wear facemasks and wash hands before and after contacting residents. Especially, care assistants should wash their hands and discard gloves every time they change residents in their care Make clear to residents and workers the actions required to protect against COVID-19 infection Suspected COVID-19 patients should be reported to public healthcare centers, isolated from others, and tested for infection Blocking spread BETWEEN facilities Maneuver for COVID-19 Combat for local government (version 7-1) COVID-19 and older people in Asia: AWGS calls to actions An international definition for "nursing home Perspective on long term care hospitals in Korea COVID-19: What proportion are asymptomatic? Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine; c2020 6544 samples from 46 long-term care hospitals in Seoul area were reported all negative From Itaewon to Hongdae, coronavirus spread through karaoke rooms The Korea Herald