On Sunday, Governor Hogan issued an emergency order to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes as dozens of nursing homes in the state and many more across the country have experienced outbreaks.

The Baltimore Sun reports:

Per the order, “symptomatic” residents now qualify for expedited COVID-19 tests, administered either by the state or other public laboratories. The state is giving priority in testing to such residents, as well as health care workers, patients in hospitals and first responders believed to have the disease.

Among the other measures included in the order, nursing home staff who interact with residents will be required to wear personal protective equipment, and homes must create separate areas with designated staff to care for positive and suspected cases of the disease.

For more information:

With coronavirus at more than 80 nursing homes in Maryland, Gov. Hogan increases protective measures (The Baltimore Sun)