Coronavirus cases in nursing homes across the country declined between Dec. 20 and Jan. 10, according to federal data highlighted on Thursday by an industry group. 

The decline coincides with a national fall in COVID cases since a holiday-season spike as well as the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. New weekly cases have dropped by 22% during that time in nursing homes. 

“The decline in new cases three weeks after the first dose, compared to facilities having vaccine clinics later, is encouraging and signals that the vaccine may decrease the spread of COVID, a finding not shown in the trials," said Dr. David Gilford, the chief medical officer of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.

"If verified with additional data, this could expedite the reopening of long term care facilities to visitors, which is vital to residents’ health and wellbeing. Given the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on long term care residents, we must continue to prioritize vaccinating the elderly in these settings.” 

Vaccine distribution in nursing homes has been through pharmacies as part of a federal program. 

An analysis from the Center for Health Policy Evaluation in Long Term Care found COVID cases have dropped a fast rate among nursing home staffers and residents after they completed their first vaccine clinic. 

“We are excited to see this trend and hope to see it confirmed as we look at facilities whose clinics started later. We are also hoping to learn more about whether the decline in deaths is associated with vaccination,” said Marsida Domi, a senior research analyst with the group.