This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/maryland-gov-hogan-issues-emergency-order-for-nursing-homes-to-stem-coronavirus-spread/2020/04/05/c5a7f04e-7745-11ea-9bee-c5bf9d2e3288_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_homepage
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Maryland Gov. Hogan issues emergency order for nursing homes, D.C. shutters waterfront market as region continues coronavirus fight | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Washington Post is providing this story for free so that all readers have access to this important information about the coronavirus. For more free stories, sign up for our daily Coronavirus Updates newsletter. | The Washington Post is providing this story for free so that all readers have access to this important information about the coronavirus. For more free stories, sign up for our daily Coronavirus Updates newsletter. |
| The Washington region’s battle with the novel coronavirus intensified Sunday, as the number of confirmed cases soared to more than 7,000 and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an emergency order requiring nursing home staff to wear protective gear and segregate infected patients to halt the spread of the disease following outbreaks in the state’s long-term care facilities. | The Washington region’s battle with the novel coronavirus intensified Sunday, as the number of confirmed cases soared to more than 7,000 and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an emergency order requiring nursing home staff to wear protective gear and segregate infected patients to halt the spread of the disease following outbreaks in the state’s long-term care facilities. |
| Meanwhile, the administration of D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) ordered the Wharf Fish Market in Southwest Washington shut down Sunday after customers crowded its open-air marketplace Saturday, defying social-distancing orders. The closure will last through at least April 24, according to a spokeswoman for Bowser, and may be extended. | Meanwhile, the administration of D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) ordered the Wharf Fish Market in Southwest Washington shut down Sunday after customers crowded its open-air marketplace Saturday, defying social-distancing orders. The closure will last through at least April 24, according to a spokeswoman for Bowser, and may be extended. |
| One month to the day of the first known coronavirus case in the metropolitan area, the region’s death toll hit 140, with 7,252 confirmed infections. As of Sunday morning, the District had 1,002 confirmed cases and 22 deaths; Maryland had 3,610 cases and 67 deaths; and Virginia had 2,640 cases and 51 deaths. | One month to the day of the first known coronavirus case in the metropolitan area, the region’s death toll hit 140, with 7,252 confirmed infections. As of Sunday morning, the District had 1,002 confirmed cases and 22 deaths; Maryland had 3,610 cases and 67 deaths; and Virginia had 2,640 cases and 51 deaths. |
| Unafraid to call out Trump, Hogan emerges as lead GOP voice for urgent action on pandemic | Unafraid to call out Trump, Hogan emerges as lead GOP voice for urgent action on pandemic |
| Maryland, meanwhile, continued its struggle to contain outbreaks that have so far struck 81 nursing homes and long-term care facilities. At Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy, the site of the state’s largest outbreak, at least 99 residents and staff had tested positive and 10 residents had died. Hogan’s emergency order, issued Sunday, requires nursing homes and similar elderly care facilities to create isolation areas for residents infected with or suspected of having the virus; designate teams of workers to tend to the patients; and send coronavirus test kits to a state lab for expedited testing. | Maryland, meanwhile, continued its struggle to contain outbreaks that have so far struck 81 nursing homes and long-term care facilities. At Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy, the site of the state’s largest outbreak, at least 99 residents and staff had tested positive and 10 residents had died. Hogan’s emergency order, issued Sunday, requires nursing homes and similar elderly care facilities to create isolation areas for residents infected with or suspected of having the virus; designate teams of workers to tend to the patients; and send coronavirus test kits to a state lab for expedited testing. |
| “As we have been saying for several weeks, older Marylanders and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable and at a significantly higher risk of contracting, getting more severely ill and dying from this disease,” said Hogan, who, as chair of the National Governors Association, has represented states’ top elected officials and has also been one of the few Republicans to question President Trump’s statements about the pandemic. | “As we have been saying for several weeks, older Marylanders and those with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable and at a significantly higher risk of contracting, getting more severely ill and dying from this disease,” said Hogan, who, as chair of the National Governors Association, has represented states’ top elected officials and has also been one of the few Republicans to question President Trump’s statements about the pandemic. |
| “We will use every tool at our disposal to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Hogan said. | “We will use every tool at our disposal to protect the most vulnerable among us,” Hogan said. |
| Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. | Sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter to track the outbreak. All stories linked in the newsletter are free to access. |
| Hogan’s order, elements of which were mentioned by the state’s deputy health secretary at a Friday news conference, requires all staff in close contact with residents to wear face masks, gloves and gowns. The facilities can request additional equipment from the state. It also mandates that the facilities send coronavirus tests to the Maryland Public Health Laboratory, which prioritizes evaluations for symptomatic residents of such facilities. | Hogan’s order, elements of which were mentioned by the state’s deputy health secretary at a Friday news conference, requires all staff in close contact with residents to wear face masks, gloves and gowns. The facilities can request additional equipment from the state. It also mandates that the facilities send coronavirus tests to the Maryland Public Health Laboratory, which prioritizes evaluations for symptomatic residents of such facilities. |
| New data indicates the virus is not slowing its march across the region. | New data indicates the virus is not slowing its march across the region. |
| On Sunday, Maryland announced its highest single-day increase in confirmed cases at 484. Prince George’s and Baltimore counties saw their largest increases to date, with 132 and 99 new confirmed infections, respectively. In Virginia, Arlington County also experienced its largest single-day increase with 31 new cases, bringing its total to 181. | On Sunday, Maryland announced its highest single-day increase in confirmed cases at 484. Prince George’s and Baltimore counties saw their largest increases to date, with 132 and 99 new confirmed infections, respectively. In Virginia, Arlington County also experienced its largest single-day increase with 31 new cases, bringing its total to 181. |
| Dozens of cases, and 10 deaths. Inside Maryland’s worst coronavirus outbreak. | Dozens of cases, and 10 deaths. Inside Maryland’s worst coronavirus outbreak. |
| As the number of confirmed cases increased, the region reported 15 new fatalities Sunday, short of the 21 deaths reported Saturday, which marked the largest single-day increase in deaths. The District reported 96 new cases and the death of a 76-year-old woman. Virginia added 230 cases and two fatalities overnight but lowered its overall death toll from 52 to 51 while three previously reported deaths are re-examined for a link to covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. In Maryland, authorities reported 14 new covid-19 deaths Sunday. | As the number of confirmed cases increased, the region reported 15 new fatalities Sunday, short of the 21 deaths reported Saturday, which marked the largest single-day increase in deaths. The District reported 96 new cases and the death of a 76-year-old woman. Virginia added 230 cases and two fatalities overnight but lowered its overall death toll from 52 to 51 while three previously reported deaths are re-examined for a link to covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. In Maryland, authorities reported 14 new covid-19 deaths Sunday. |
| Virginia is also grappling with outbreaks in nursing homes. As of Friday, 17 residents at the Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Henrico County had died of the disease. Five died in a 24-hour period. Officials at the 190-bed facility said it had tested all residents and most of the staff and found that 108 residents and 25 employees have been infected. | Virginia is also grappling with outbreaks in nursing homes. As of Friday, 17 residents at the Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Henrico County had died of the disease. Five died in a 24-hour period. Officials at the 190-bed facility said it had tested all residents and most of the staff and found that 108 residents and 25 employees have been infected. |
| Danny Avula, director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts, said at a Thursday news conference that Canterbury continues to suffer from a lack of personal protective equipment. | Danny Avula, director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts, said at a Thursday news conference that Canterbury continues to suffer from a lack of personal protective equipment. |
| Experts and public health authorities caution that the official tallies of coronavirus cases do not provide a complete picture of the virus’s toll. New test results may reflect week-old samples, and people carrying the virus now may take as long as 14 days to develop symptoms. Additionally, many guidelines limit coronavirus tests to people exhibiting symptoms, meaning that more people are infected than labs can confirm. | Experts and public health authorities caution that the official tallies of coronavirus cases do not provide a complete picture of the virus’s toll. New test results may reflect week-old samples, and people carrying the virus now may take as long as 14 days to develop symptoms. Additionally, many guidelines limit coronavirus tests to people exhibiting symptoms, meaning that more people are infected than labs can confirm. |
| On the same day that the White House virus task force coordinator proclaimed the District could be a new hot spot, the city experienced an online uproar after social-media posts Saturday showed crowds at the Wharf Fish Market in Southwest Washington, defying the mandate that people practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart. In the aftermath, city regulators on Sunday ordered the popular open-air market, restaurant and nightlife spot shuttered through at least April 24. | On the same day that the White House virus task force coordinator proclaimed the District could be a new hot spot, the city experienced an online uproar after social-media posts Saturday showed crowds at the Wharf Fish Market in Southwest Washington, defying the mandate that people practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart. In the aftermath, city regulators on Sunday ordered the popular open-air market, restaurant and nightlife spot shuttered through at least April 24. |
| In the interim, Bowser and city officials are encouraging the market’s vendors to develop a strategy for serving customers — while enforcing social-distancing rules — and present it to the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. | In the interim, Bowser and city officials are encouraging the market’s vendors to develop a strategy for serving customers — while enforcing social-distancing rules — and present it to the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. |
| “If the plan allows for safe operations, the venue will be allowed to reopen,” Bowser communications director LaToya Foster said in a statement. “DCRA and D.C. Health would continue to monitor compliance.” | “If the plan allows for safe operations, the venue will be allowed to reopen,” Bowser communications director LaToya Foster said in a statement. “DCRA and D.C. Health would continue to monitor compliance.” |
| The large volume of customers at the market — where, in some cases, people stood within inches of one another — was all the more outrageous to District residents given Bowser’s projection Friday that roughly 1 in every 7 D.C. residents could contract the coronavirus. Bowser also said that the city probably would hit its largest number of hospitalizations in early summer. As of Sunday, however, a projection from a University of Washington health research center said the District could reach peak “hospital resource use” as soon as April 15 and hit as many as nine deaths per day starting April 13. | The large volume of customers at the market — where, in some cases, people stood within inches of one another — was all the more outrageous to District residents given Bowser’s projection Friday that roughly 1 in every 7 D.C. residents could contract the coronavirus. Bowser also said that the city probably would hit its largest number of hospitalizations in early summer. As of Sunday, however, a projection from a University of Washington health research center said the District could reach peak “hospital resource use” as soon as April 15 and hit as many as nine deaths per day starting April 13. |
| One reason D.C. officials are predicting a later and higher peak in needed hospital beds is that they suspect residents will not adhere to social-distancing rules as faithfully as the University of Washington researchers anticipate. | One reason D.C. officials are predicting a later and higher peak in needed hospital beds is that they suspect residents will not adhere to social-distancing rules as faithfully as the University of Washington researchers anticipate. |
| Bowser recently joined Maryland and Virginia in instituting a stay-at-home order, requiring residents to remain indoors except for essential activities, such as grocery shopping. Activities such as dog-walking, running and hiking are allowed but should be pursued only with family members. | Bowser recently joined Maryland and Virginia in instituting a stay-at-home order, requiring residents to remain indoors except for essential activities, such as grocery shopping. Activities such as dog-walking, running and hiking are allowed but should be pursued only with family members. |
| Bowser has also banned gatherings of more than 10 people, and has instructed those who do venture outdoors to remain at least six feet apart. Violators could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and three months in jail, though the mayor said criminal penalties would be a last resort. | Bowser has also banned gatherings of more than 10 people, and has instructed those who do venture outdoors to remain at least six feet apart. Violators could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and three months in jail, though the mayor said criminal penalties would be a last resort. |
| The ranks of the city’s law enforcement and fire and rescue personnel also continue to be hit by the virus. Four more members of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Sunday, bringing to 32 the number of firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians who have fallen ill. An assistant fire chief is included in that tally. | The ranks of the city’s law enforcement and fire and rescue personnel also continue to be hit by the virus. Four more members of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Sunday, bringing to 32 the number of firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians who have fallen ill. An assistant fire chief is included in that tally. |
| Fire officials said seven members have recovered and have been cleared for work. | Fire officials said seven members have recovered and have been cleared for work. |
| The fire department said 173 of its members are in quarantine, and 165 members who had been quarantined have returned to work. The department has more than 2,000 members. | The fire department said 173 of its members are in quarantine, and 165 members who had been quarantined have returned to work. The department has more than 2,000 members. |
| A total of 17 members of the D.C. police department have tested positive for the coronavirus, and an additional 195 are in quarantined. Another 194 members who had been in quarantine have returned to work. | A total of 17 members of the D.C. police department have tested positive for the coronavirus, and an additional 195 are in quarantined. Another 194 members who had been in quarantine have returned to work. |
| The D.C. police department, which has more than 3,800 sworn members, has said one officer is in critical condition. | The D.C. police department, which has more than 3,800 sworn members, has said one officer is in critical condition. |
| Peter Hermann, Ovetta Wiggins and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report. | Peter Hermann, Ovetta Wiggins and Laura Vozzella contributed to this report. |