The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has issued an order that requires all staff, volunteers, and vendors who are in a nursing home facility regularly, regardless of vaccination status, to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week whenever community transmission is high. In addition, all visitors will need to provide proof of a negative test, or be tested at the facility with a rapid test prior to entering. As of January 13, 70% of Maryland nursing homes were reporting positive COVID-19 cases among residents and staff. The order will go into effect on Jan. 21, and the state will work closely with nursing homes to make all of the necessary testing resources available to them.
