According to the Associated Press, nursing homes are asking New York regulators to ease up on a twice-weekly coronavirus testing mandate for their employees.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Nursing homes sent a letter to state Health Commissioner Doctor Howard Zucker June 9 reiterating earlier complaints that the twice a week COVID-19 testing for everyone in an adult care facility is a huge financial burden and is near impossible to accomplish.  The groups say concentrating on near-constant testing makes it harder to provide quality care to residents. They want to reduce testing to once a week.

Governor Andrew Cuomo June 9 said there were 46 new COVID-19 deaths in New York, including 16 in nursing homes.

The AP report says the request comes as all regions of the state are easing lockdown restrictions. A spokeswoman said the Department of Health is reviewing the letter along with testing data and input from other stakeholders.

June 10, the Governor signed an adjustment to the Executive Order that would allow nursing home and adult care facilities in Phase Two reopening to back off to testing staff weekly.

Pennsylvania has backed off a demand for nursing homes in the state test residents and staff for the coronavirus weekly. In Pa., Governor Tom Wolf’s Administration is now calling for nursing homes to complete a single baseline test.  The Health Secretary is also ordering nursing homes and other facilities that care for older Pennsylvanians to test staff and residents at least once by July 24.

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