Outbreak Investigation of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff of an Independent and Assisted Living Community for Older Adults in Seattle, Washington

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Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused disproportionate morbidity and mortality among older adults.1,2 The first case of COVID-19 in the US was identified in mid-January 2020 in the Seattle, Washington metropolitan area.3 A notable proportion of cases in Seattle have occurred among older adults living in diverse congregant settings, ranging from independent and assisted living communities to memory care, long-term care, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).4-6 Nationwide, the COVID-19 epidemic has caused numerous devastating outbreaks in senior living facilities, with the problem growing in scope and mitigation strategies uncertain. It is not known how different senior living arrangements influence spread of the virus.