COVID-19: Children and Elderly are Special Populations for which UPMC is Prepared

March 9, 2020

Children and people living in long-term care or skilled nursing facilities are groups with unique needs during the COVID-19 epidemic. UPMC experts today briefed media on how the health system is prepared to provide the best possible care to these populations.

“Preparing for an emerging infectious disease is something UPMC has a lot of experience with,” said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at UPMC. “We have solid plans in place to care for patients with concerning infections.”

COVID-19 is the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new type of coronavirus responsible for over 100,000 infections worldwide and more than 3,000 deaths. Cases have been reported in more than half the states in the U.S., including Pennsylvania. There currently are no cases at any UPMC facility.

The elderly and people with underlying medical conditions, such as lung or heart disease, seem to be particularly susceptible to COVID-19, and the majority of U.S. deaths have been among residents of a nursing home in suburban Seattle.

Dr. David A. Nace, chief medical officer for UPMC Senior Communities, which provide secure and friendly surroundings to nearly 3,000 older adults in more than 30 facilities throughout the region, said UPMC has proper infection control protocols in place and has educated the staff of UPMC’s long-term care and skilled nursing facilities about proper personal protective equipment to use to safely care for any COVID-19 patients.

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