Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) took dramatic action in the COVID-19 battle in long-term care on Wednesday. He said he is requiring universal testing for all nursing homes and assisted living workers and residents, regardless if they show symptoms.
It is part of a strategy to target and contain the “most acute outbreaks, clusters and hot spots of coronavirus” in the state, Hogan said at a press briefing.
Facilities will be prioritized for testing based on the risk of an “imminent outbreak” or a “current rising threat risk,” he said.
He also said he is putting the National Guard in charge of enforcing safety rules at long-term care facilities.
“We are no longer just playing defense. We are going on offense against this virus, attacking it from every angle with everything we’ve got,” the governor said.
Last week, West Virginia’s governor made headlines when he announced that all nursing home residents and workers would be tested for the coronavirus, whether or not they were symptomatic.
Other states are also considering or introducing expanded testing measures as the landscape quickly evolves with access to more kits and analyses becoming more plentiful.
