In First Full Month of COVID-19 Data, Skilled Nursing Occupancy Drops to 84.7%

The stabilized occupancy rate for nursing care fell sharply in April due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a snapshot from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) released on Tuesday.

Nursing care occupancy last month dropped 220 basis points to 84.7% from March to April in NIC’s selection of primary markets, with the decline reflecting the effects of COVID-19.

The group defined stabilized occupancy as “the occupancy rate of properties that are at least two years old, or if less than two years old, have achieved occupancy of at least 95% since