Aida Suarez-Gonzalez, Emilio Velasco Castañón and Adelina Comas-Herrera
Key Findings:
- The region of Asturias experienced a moderate rate of infections that put pressure on the healthcare system but did not overwhelm it.
- The Microbiology Department of the region’s main hospital (HUCA) developed an in-house Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing system, which made possible to provide massive testing at a low cost.
- The majority of staff and care home residents in the region (31,580) had been tested for COVID-19 by 25th of May[1].*
- Community nurses were the main workforce deployed to strengthen the response of the affected care homes and lead their health and infection control protocols.
- PCR tests are periodically repeated on care workers (every 21-28 days).
- Care home staff in the region were offered free training on infection control, correct use of PPE and advice on how to keep up with official guideline updates. All care workers were offered this training regardless of whether they work in public or private institutions.
- 29% of care homes in the region had COVID-19 cases.
- 2/3 of deaths in the region corresponding to care home residents.
- 243 care home workers became infected (no deaths).
- 80% of the deaths of care home residents happened in hospitals.
- 42% of total COVID-19 deaths in the region were of people who had a diagnosis of dementia
[1] Data provided by the Department of Health of Asturias