Low COVID-19 mortality in old age homes in western India: an empirical study

panchamia, J.; Bhagat, B.; Bharati, V.; Joshi, A.; Mavalankar, D.

Objective: The study intended to understand the effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on western Indian elderly care homes, which are also called as old age homes. The study aimed to know the actions taken by administration of homes and challenges faced during the lockdown period. Method: Total 44 care homes across three states of western India were contacted for data collection during September-November 2020. Results: Out of 44 care homes, seven care homes reported 119 case of corona virus infection and two deaths. Hence, the reported covid cases rate found to be 756 per 10,000 residents. Discussion: It was observed that average 26% of the occupants were sent back to their home/relatives home before the lockdown to decongest the care homes. Administrators strictly adhered the government guidelines. Care homes in western India seemed to have very low infection rate and low number of deaths as compared to western world.