In an August 27 letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), LeadingAge asked CDC to reconsider the duration of isolation for nursing home residents recovering from respiratory viruses. Current health care setting recommendations require nursing home residents to be isolated in their rooms for at least 10 days following respiratory virus infection.

LeadingAge pointed out that although nursing homes are considered health care settings, they differ from hospitals and other health care settings in important ways.

Nursing home residents deserve a homelike environment where they are protected from the emotional, physical, and cognitive decline that can accompany prolonged social isolation and LeadingAge advocated for reduced duration of isolation for recovering nursing home residents that would align with CDC’s public health guidance.