Skilled nursing occupancy levels dropped by 41 basis points to 74.8% during the month of June as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — a new record low, according to new data released by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC).

Despite the decline, it was the first time occupancy dropped by less than 100 basis paints since the start of the pandemic in March, That could mean that occupancy at SNFs may be starting to stabilize, NIC said. 

“However, significant uncertainty remains, especially as fall and winter approach. New challenges could arise with arrival of the flu season complicated by a possible resurgence of the COVID-19 virus,” NIC Senior Principal Bill Kauffman wrote in a blog post. 

Occupancy has fallen 853 basis points (from 83.4%) since March and is down 990 basis points since February. When compared to 2019, occupancy rate is down 930 basis points from June 2019 and 871 points from June 2018.

The report added that managed Medicare revenue mix declined slightly to end at 20.4% in June, while Managed Medicare patient increased slightly from May and ended at 5.5% in June.