Continuing community operating expenses decreased 5.1% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Continuing community advertising and promotion costs decreased 42.2%, food costs decreased 7.7%, and repairs and maintenance decreased 16.1% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Labor costs, including benefits, remained relatively flat quarter over quarter while small increases in supplies and other expenses partially offset these decreases. Same-community net operating income decreased 14.8% in the fourth quarter of 2020 when compared with the fourth quarter of 2019.
COVID-19 Update
In December 2020, the Company initiated the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations at its communities, and, as of March 2021, the Company has completed first- and second-round clinics at 100% of its communities. In communities that have completed two vaccine clinics, 87% of its residents and 41% of its staff have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are fully vaccinated. As of March 2021, COVID-19 incidence rates have declined across the portfolio, and leading indicators, such as leads, tours and move-ins, are at their highest levels since March 2020, indicating that demand for senior housing and services is beginning to rebound.
Throughout 2020, the Company incurred substantial costs for procurement of additional PPE, cleaning and disposable food service supplies, enhanced cleaning, infection control, environmental sanitization costs, and increased labor expenses for hazard pay at certain communities with COVID-19 positive residents. The Company has also incurred costs for COVID-19 testing of residents and employees. In total, the Company incurred approximately $4.8 million and $7.9 million in incremental COVID-19 costs in the fourth quarter and full year 2020, respectively. To mitigate these new costs, the Company reduced spending on non-essential supplies, travel and other discretionary items.
In November 2020, the Company accepted $8.1 million of CARES Act Phase 2 Provider Relief funds, which are intended to reimburse the Company for COVID-19-related costs and lost revenues. The $8.1 million Phase 2 Provider Relief Funds have been recorded as a reduction to operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company received an additional $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2021 under the CARES Act Phase 3 and expects to fully recognize Phase 3 funds in 2021. The CARES Act Phase 2 and Phase 3 funds are grants that do not have to be repaid provided the Company satisfies the terms and conditions of the CARES Act.
In addition, the Company had received approximately $1.9 million in relief from state agencies during the year ended December 31, 2020, under the CARES Act and has applied for additional federal and state funding. The Company is utilizing the payroll tax deferral program under the CARES Act and delayed the employer portion of payroll taxes totaling $7.4 million from April 2020 through December 2020. One-half of the deferred payroll taxes, which amount to $3.7 million, will be due by December 2021, while the other half will be due by December 2022.
Community Transitions Update
Disposition of Canton, Ohio, Community
On November 24, 2020, the Company closed on the sale of one senior housing community located in Canton, Ohio, for a total purchase price of $18.0 million and received approximately $6.4 million in net proceeds after retiring outstanding mortgage debt of $10.8 million and paying customary transaction and closing costs. In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $2.0 million gain on the sale of the property. In November 2020, the Company entered into a management agreement with the successor owner to manage the senior living community, subject to a management fee based on the gross revenues of the property.