Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an executive order Wednesday requiring universal coronavirus testing for all of the state's nursing home residents, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Why it matters: Nursing homes in Maryland account for 46% of the state's coronavirus deaths and 19% of its cases, Hogan said Wednesday. Clusters of cases in nursing homes nationwide, which house a total of 2.5 million Americans, have proven to be among the most deadly.
Details: Under the order, nursing homes will have to comply with the "strike teams"that the state has deployed.
- They would also be required to have a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse evaluate each resident daily.
- The facilities will have to develop "surge staffing" plans for potential outbreaks.
- “Bridge teams,” consisting of a nurse and several aides, will provide emergency clinical staffing.
