Exhibit 99.1
Welltower Issues Business Update
TOLEDO, Ohio, April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — (NYSE: WELL) Welltower® Inc. today issued the following statement regarding the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic:
“During these extraordinary times, we remain inspired by the resolve and fortitude of all individuals who are on the front lines in combating the impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic. This includes the thousands of health care professionals, caregivers, and staff in Welltower facilities, who are working tirelessly to promote the safety and well-being of their residents and patients,” commented Thomas J. DeRosa, Chairman and CEO. “One of Welltower’s primary responsibilities during this time is to offer its full support to our operating partners. As such, our team continues to utilize its relationships across the health care sector to help address some of the most critical challenges they face,” he added.
Operator Support
In an effort to address pressures from the nationwide shortage of supplies and testing kits, Welltower has established a distribution center in Dallas to receive bulk orders from existing suppliers and group purchasing organizations, along with new supply chains. We plan to use the Dallas center to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to our operating partners. As part of this effort, the Company has procured or is in the process of procuring approximately 400,000 pairs of gloves, 250,000 face masks, and 120,000 isolation gowns, in addition to hand sanitizer, disinfectants, andno-touch thermometers. Welltower has also secured testing kits and has started to facilitate testing capabilities, including the establishment of new relationships with regional and national lab providers. Additionally, through ourpre-existing collaboration with UCSF’s Clinical Innovation Center, Welltower has connected our operators to subject matter experts to receive guidance on matters such as interfacility transfers, staff screening and safety, and testing protocols. Amongst a host of other initiatives, we have provided resources designed to support telemedicine solutions to avoid subjecting residents to unnecessary risk of infection and to triagein-place residents. Welltower is committed to further engagement with parties across the health care sector to explore any and all solutions which will benefit our operating partners.
Senior Housing Operating Portfolio Update
With respect to our seniors housing operating (SHO) portfolio, based on reports received from our operators as of April 1, 2020, 45 communities have reported at least one confirmedCOVID-19 case affecting 116 residents out of a total resident population of approximately 61,000. Our operating partners are required to follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and local and state authorities on testing forCOVID-19. As has been widely reported, though, testing challenges have limited our operators’ ability to test the entire resident population.
As of March 27, 2020, our total SHO portfolio occupancy of 85.4% compared to 85.6% as of March 13, 2020, and 85.8% on February 28, 2020. The portfolio is expected to experience an additional decline in occupancy going forward due to various measures enacted to stem the spread of theCOVID-19 pandemic, including the limitation of tours at many of our communities and restrictions on residentmove-ins. Partially offsetting this decline is the potential for some moderation in the pace ofmove-out activity. Additionally, operating expenses within our SHO portfolio have risen in recent weeks following an increase in labor expenses coupled with expenditures related to the Company’s efforts to procure PPE and supplies on behalf of its operators.