Community-Based Long-Term Care Has Lower COVID-19 Rates and Improved Outcomes Compared to Residential Settings

The prevalence of COVID-19 in nursing homes (NHs) and assisted living (AL) has generated considerable attention because of residents' vulnerability. For example, a recent study by Parikh et al1 reported higher-than-expected asymptomatic cases in a point prevalence study in a subset of Connecticut NHs in May 2020. Yet little is known about COVID-19's impact on people receiving long-term services and supports in home and community-based settings (HCBS) as an alternative to NH or AL care. Using Connecticut statewide data, this study compares positive cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in 3 Medicaid HCBS programs from March through July 2020 to results for NH and AL residents over the same period.