Texas — The state has formed a “strike force” to help assess and combat the coronavirus crisis in its more than 1,200 nursing homes. 

The intervention effort aims to stop the virus from spreading throughout nursing homes. The initiative calls on paramedic teams from across the state to test all of their respective areas’ nursing home residents and staff members. 

Other areas of focus for the initiative include ensuring that facilities are following infection control guidelines and that workers have enough personal protective equipment. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported more than 880 deaths and 5,900 cases among nursing home residents as of late June.