Gov. Hogan announces expanded nursing home precautions, mask distribution, testing sites
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Gov. Larry Hogan announced expanded efforts by the Maryland Department of Health to protect against the COVID omicron variant Thursday at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. A recording of the livestream can be watched above.
Included in the updates were that 20 million KN95 and N95 masks would be distributed through local health departments, community organizations and state-run testing and vaccination sites.
Changes were also announced for visitation rules at nursing homes. Hogan said nearly 70 percent of homes were reporting COVID cases among residents and staff. The Department of Health will begin stricter requirements next week.
Staff, volunteers and vendors will be tested twice a week regardless of vaccination status. In addition, all visitors must provide proof of a recent negative test or be tested at the nursing home before entry.
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Hogan also announced that 10 new hospital-based testing sites would be open by Friday, with six more coming, including one at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, by the end of next week. All sites would be open seven days a week.
Hogan announced a 30-day state of emergency Jan. 4 as COVID cases spiked throughout the state amid a surge of the omicron variant.
On average, more than 10,000 have tested positive every day since Dec. 29, according to data from the Maryland Department of Health, with the seven-day positivity rate sitting over 25 percent during that time.
As part of the state of emergency, Hogan mobilized 1,000 members of the Maryland National Guard to help health officials, particularly at testing sites, while hospitals struggle to meet the demand for hospital beds.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Gov. Hogan: 20 million KN95, N95 masks to be distributed