Image of male nurse pushing senior woman in a wheelchair in nursing facility

Dozens of state health inspectors have been sent to survey Minnesota nursing homes’ infection control compliance without first being tested for COVID-19. Critics note this puts already susceptible residents and staff at an even greater risk of catching and spreading the disease. 

Minnesota does not require long-term care inspectors to be tested for the disease even though the state has called for widespread testing among residents and staff members, the Star Tribune reported. Inspectors detailed that they’ve sometimes visited multiple facilities with outbreaks within one week.

The Minnesota Department of Health does not require, but rather recommends, that staff get tested if they think they’ve even been exposed to the virus. However, it doesn’t routinely and preemptively test surveyors, the report noted. 

The agency also noted that it has not had any coronavirus cases among regulatory staff who conduct surveys and investigations in facilities. 

State Sen. Karin Housely (R) warned that long-term care residents and staff members are being subject to needless risks. 

“The guidelines to keep our seniors safe should apply to everyone, including government employees,” Housely told the news organization. 

Tamara Konetzka, University of Chicago health services research professor, added that the lack of testing among inspectors was hard to justify. 

“If we are cautious enough to continue limiting inside visits of family members, with known devastating costs to physical and emotional well-being of residents, what can explain the lack of caution with respect to surveyors being tested?” she questioned.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the agency does intend to start testing staff who visit long-term care facilities and it’s working out how and when that testing will occur, according to the report. 

Minnesota nursing homes have reported 629 coronavirus-related deaths and 1,993 cases, according to the latest federal data.