DUE TODAY: Nursing Homes COVID-19 Specimen Collection
As we previously shared, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released
this letter
on May 29 from Secretary Neall regarding testing and lab submission.
Nursing homes are directed to use test kits delivered by the National Guard to complete the contemporaneous COVID-19 test specimen collection on 100% of nursing home residents and staff. It is essential that all nursing homes conduct specimen collection promptly.
MDH requires specimens from 100% of residents and all available staff be collected and submitted to the designated laboratory for testing no later than
TODAY - June 5, 2020.
The Maryland National Guard will follow-up with a telephone survey of all 227 facilities to ensure all testing is completed and to address questions and concerns about universal testing. As previously noted, assistance with staff shortages due to temporary loss of asymptomatic positive staff is available through the Chesapeake Registry and from Bridge Teams as necessary.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local health department or Col. Eric Allely at
eric.b.allely.mil@mail.mil.
