At least 53 nursing care facilities are battling with Covid-19 cases across the United States, according to a report by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Louisiana, New York and Georgia were the top three states in the US with at least seven nursing facilities in each location impacted by the novel virus, the report released on Sunday reveals, which compiled information from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The three states were placed in the agency’s top tier category for states dealing with outbreaks in nursing home facilities. The top tier means between seven to 25 facilities in each state are impacted, as of Thursday.

Another tier has three states – Washington, New Jersey, and Illinois – which report four to six nursing facilities with confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Then 20 states follow the top six with one to three facilities impacted by the virus. There are 24 states across the US with no confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases in any nursing facility.

Nursing facilities are a concern for health officials who want to avoid a coronavirus “cluster” that could severely impact the elderly population.

Although Louisiana, New York and Georgia reportedly have the most facilities impacted with cases, there are more individuals within these nursing facilities who’ve contracted the virus in both Washington state and New Jersey.

Washington state previously was the epicentre for the virus in the US before New York’s case numbers largely surpassed the state.

In the state’s Kirkland Life Care Centre, it saw at least 35 deaths from the virus. At least 55 people have died in nursing facilities alone across the nation from the virus, according to the Washington Post.

Loading....

Most people who contract Covid-19 will experience minor flu-like symptoms – such as fever, tiredness, and a dry cough – and will recover within two weeks.

But for others, specifically the elderly or immunocompromised, symptoms can be more severe and potentially cause death.

Keeping the virus out of nursing facilities is a concern for health professionals as they attempt to contain the spread.

Specific facilities experiencing outbreaks have prevented its residents from receiving visitors, or limited the number of visitors, to prevent more cases. Workers at some of the facilities are also ordered to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) when helping their patients.

Individual state governors, including Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, are encouraging people to avoid visiting family members in person at these facilities. Instead, video chats and phone calls are recommended.