Hogan orders universal COVID-19 testing of all residents and staff members at Md. nursing homes, assisted living facilities

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to provide an update on coronavirus in the state.

During the press conference, Hogan announced that he has issued an executive order requiring universal testing of all residents and staff at all Maryland nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Facilities will be prioritized based on an imminent outbreak or a current rising threat risk.

In addition, all nursing homes must have a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse evaluate all residents on a daily basis. Facilities must develop surge staffing plans to ensure continuity of care in the event of an outbreak. To do this, Bridge Teams are being created to provide emergency clinical staffing. Each bridge team will be composed of a registered nurse and 5-7 aides, sufficient to care for up to 100 nursing home residents per shift. Teams are ready to be immediately deployed to provide 24/7 coverage for nursing homes if needed.

Governor John Carney and Governor Ralph Northam joined Hogan in sending a letter to the President, addressing outbreaks at poultry processing plants on Delmarva. The testing site at Perdue Stadium this coming Friday and Saturday will allow workers at those poultry plants to get tested.

Hogan also declared this coming Saturday, May 2nd, as Healthcare Heroes Day in Maryland. The State House dome and Camden Yards/M&T Bank Stadium will be lit up blue, and flyovers by Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds will also take place.