By Cyan Thomas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has issued an emergency order that enforces safety regulations to protect nursing home residents and staff against the deadly COVID-19 outbreaks.
Effective immediately, Hogan’s order states that nursing home employees and staff must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), expedite testing for residents and staff, and create separate observation areas.
“As we have been saying for several weeks, older Marylanders and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable and at a significantly higher risk of contracting, getting more severely ill, and dying from this disease,” Hogan said on Sunday.
“Of major concern is that we currently have cases or clusters of cases at 81 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state,” he said.
The order comes as Maryland confirmed coronavirus cases reached 4,045 with 91 reported deaths. Across America, there were 357,036 confirmed cases with 10,522 deaths on Monday. Around the globe, officials report nearly 1.3 million confirmed cases with 73,842 deaths. Globally, more than 277,640 people have recovered from the deadly virus, statistics showed.
“Age and your condition in life will really drive your susceptibility,” Vineet Menachery, an immunologist from the University of Texas, said to AARP. “You may be in your 40s, but if you have these chronic health conditions, you’re going to be more susceptible, just like you see with flu.”
In addition to the directives, Hogan added that patients will be allowed to return to their nursing home after being discharged from the hospital; that is, as long as the home can continue to take necessary precautions to prevent transmission.
As nursing homes have been the site of multiple outbreaks worldwide, the governor’s order aligns with what many nursing home staff list as necessary.
“Nursing homes may have more to fear from visitors and staff carrying the virus than vice versa, as their residents are highly susceptible to the virus,” Michael Dark, staff attorney at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, wrote in an email to AARP.
Hogan’s order is mandatory and must be obeyed by nursing homes. Disobeying the order could result in a misdemeanor charge, jail time up to one year, and a fine of up to $5,000.
1 Comment
I love your spotlight photo! Families are learning to be creative in how they ‘visit’ their loved ones in nursing homes. Talking across windows, etc is an awesome way to ‘see’ each other and it’s so much more personable than merely talking on the phone.