An additional executive order was enacted Sunday by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) to aggressively combat the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak in Maryland nursing homes.
Effectively immediately, according to Hogan’s press release, all Maryland nursing home staff who interact with residents are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a face mask, appropriate eye protection, gloves and gowns.
The governor’s Sunday-afternoon directive requires Maryland nursing facilities to “use the most expeditious means available for testing,” which includes a Covid-19 test kit provided by the state laboratory or another lab to send specimens to the state laboratory for expedited testing for residents and staff.
In addition, nursing facilities must designate a unit of staff who are assigned to care for known or suspected Covid-19 residents.
The governor’s executive order mandates nursing facilities to “adjust and strengthen their policies, protocols, and procedures in line with all state and federal guidance related to Covid-19.”
Anyone who violates the order, according to the governor’s release, is guilty fo a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding $5,000 – or both.”
As of Sunday afternoon, Maryland has 3,609 confirmed cases of Covid-19, a 484-person increase in the last 24-hours.
To date, 67 Marylanders have died from Covid-19 complications.
