Key summary pointsAimBy use of a newly established national automated registry-based surveillance system, this study describes SARS-CoV-2 infections, deaths and outbreaks among Danish long-term care facility residents in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic 2020/2021. Also, to assess the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in these settingsFindingsLess than half of the Danish long-term care facilities identified at least one case. Almost all (94%) cases were linked to an outbreak. Regional differences were observed with the Capital Region having substantial higher numbers of both cases and outbreaks compared to the other four Danish regions.MessageA national automated registry-based surveillance system is key in monitoring and analysing patterns in numbers and outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in long-term care facilities. The majority of SARS-CoV-2 cases among long-term care facility residents were linked to an outbreak, highlighting the importance of investing efforts into avoiding introductions of the virus.