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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE QUALITY CARE FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND WORKERS DURING COVID-19 ACT
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker declared a statewide disaster proclamation in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle signed a county-wide disaster proclamation in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, as of May 15, 2020, there were 59,905 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County and 2,762 deaths due to COVID-19 in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, across Cook County, these cases have been inequitably distributed along lines of race, income, and age; and
WHEREAS, as of May 8, 2020, across Cook County there were 7,494 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst long-term care facility residents and staff and 1,120 deaths, accounting for 40% of all COVID-19-related deaths in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, the United States Centers for Disease Control stated that people over 65 years old are at higher risk for severe illness due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau's American Community Survey reported that Cook County is home to over 750,000 residents over 65 years old; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported 211 registered nursing home providers in Cook County with 26,711 average daily residents; and
WHEREAS, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act addresses the inadequate response to COVID-19 in nursing homes by focusing on improving the quality of care for nursing home residents and codifying resident rights related to COVID-19 precautions; and
WHEREAS, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act prioritizes nursing home worker safety by ensuring the provision of training, personal protective equipment, paid sick leave, and increased testing for residents and staff; and
WHEREAS, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 ...
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