The risk of SARS-CoV-2 is currently low to moderate for residents of long-term care facilities who have been vaccinated. For unvaccinated residents, on the other hand, it remains moderate to high in countries where the epidemiological situation is of low concern, and high or very high in countries where the situation is considered to be of concern. This was the assessment of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in an evaluation published on Monday 26 July.
However, according to data provided to ECDC by some Member States, the incidence of confirmed cases and the trend in fatal cases of Covid-19 in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is mainly decreasing.
Noting that the health situation remains worrying (EUROPE 12764/14) and that the “overall level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the general population has a direct impact on the risk to LTCF residents”, the ECDC nevertheless invites national health authorities to take action.
This includes “[rapidly ensuring full vaccination coverage of LTCF residents and all people in contact with them”. The ECDC estimates, based on the limited data available, that more than 20% of staff in long-term care facilities are not vaccinated in the EU.
The issue of vaccines was again discussed in the European Commission on Friday 23 July. An expert group on SARS-CoV-2 variants—including two representatives from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the ECDC—held its first meeting to review the need to adapt Covid-19 vaccines to the variants.
For the ECDC assessment: https://bit.ly/3iQGZi4 (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)