Nationwide cross-sectional study results on long-term care and SARS-CoV-2 infection among older adults in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study investigates determinants of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection, addressing a gap in understanding how social and care-related factors are associated with infection risk among older people. We analyzed the baseline wave of “Gesundheit 65+”, a German nationwide population-registry survey. This wave was performed between June 2021 and April 2022, with a sample of 3450 participants aged 65 to 100 living in private households. SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence was 3.5% (95% confidence interval, CI 2.6–4.5), slightly higher among those aged 85+, and higher among those receiving home care, and not having double vaccination. We identified with multivariable logistic regression that not having double vaccination (odds ratio, OR = 9.72; CI 4.81–19.61), receiving in-person visits (OR = 2.96; CI 1.12–7.80), and not living alone (OR = 1.96; CI 1.02–3.76) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but receiving formal or informal care at home, and participating in work and social activities were not. Our results emphasize the importance of vaccination and caution during in-person interactions. Despite receiving formal or informal care at home implying close personal contact, we did not detect increased infection risk in those receiving care at home.