Zohreh Jadali - Ph.D, Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran

We read the article by Jashaninejad et al on determinant factors of COVID-۱۹ transmission among close contacts of COVID-۱۹ patients.۱ This study demonstrates that the risk of household transmission is higher in older adults; nonetheless, no mention is made of care home staff and residents who are at higher risk of COVID-۱۹ severe outcomes. The increased risk of acquiring COVID-۱۹ and developing a severe disease in older adults is an issue of vital importance.۲ There are a number of risk factors that can increase their risk of infection, including immune system ageing, movement poverty, the higher prevalence of comorbid health conditions, as well as nutrient deficiency and its related problems.۳ Moreover, care homes are setting where older people usually live in shared accommodation; therefore, effective infection prevention and control is difficult. Other important reasons are the limited availability of medical technology or personal protective equipment and restricted staff resources. These challenges are amplified in the charities that help the elderly population and are entirely run by volunteers with no employees.