Posted: | October 14, 2020 02:01 PM |
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From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | COVID-19: Testing for Nursing Home Inspectors |
As of October 8, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 211,000 lives lost nationwide, including more than 8,000 deaths in our state alone. The virus has had a particularly devastating impact on our seniors. Approximately 70% of the lives lost to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania were individuals in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. However, despite the high risk for our seniors, recent reporting uncovered that nursing home inspectors in our state are not required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to entering a long-term care facility. This is absolutely unacceptable. We must do everything in our power to protect the lives of those most vulnerable to the virus as we wait for a vaccine to be approved. For this reason, I will be introducing legislation to mandate that inspectors receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering a long-term care facility, assisted living residence, or personal care home. This simple step can help to ensure that inspectors do not spread the virus in the facilities they visit. Please join me in protecting the lives and wellbeing of our seniors. |
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