High number of COVID-19 cases at nursing homes leads to universal testing

There are 11 long-term care facilities in Frederick County reporting cases of COVID-19, including some with multiple deaths from the disease. 

Between the 11 facilities, there are at least 311 cases and 43 deaths among staff and residents. However, not all of these cases are counted toward Frederick County’s totals because not all staff members are residents of the county.

All nursing homes across the state will now begin universal testing of residents and staff for COVID-19 as part of Gov. Larry Hogan’s most recent mandate concerning long-term care facilities announced Wednesday.

The mandate came the same day the Maryland Department of Health publicly released the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in long-term care facilities across the state. Part of the order includes reporting to local health departments and the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients.

It is unclear how often residents and staff will be tested under the new mandate. The Maryland Department of Health will allocate test kits from the state’s current reserves, spokesman Charlie Gischlar said. 

Also included in the new order, residents must be evaluated every day for symptoms of COVID-19 by a health care professional. The nursing home must also provide periodic information to residents, staff and family about where things stand concerning COVID-19.

“It is heart-wrenching enough that families can’t visit their loved ones, but it’s even worse when they can’t get information about what is happening inside these facilities,” Hogan said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

Read more | The Frederick News-Post