To help protect residents and staff at nursing facilities from COVID-19, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon has issued an Order requiring regular testing and timely and accurate reporting of cases, deaths, personal protective equipment and staffing shortages.

 

The Order requires nursing facilities to conduct the following COVID-19 testing for residents and staff:

 

•Initial testing of all residents and staff.

•Testing of all new or returning residents during intake unless tested within 72 hours of intake.

•Testing of any resident or staff member with symptoms or suspected exposure.

•Weekly testing of all previously negative residents and staff in facilities with any positive cases among residents or staff, until 14 days after the last new positive result.

•Weekly testing of all staff in regions of medium or higher risk on the MI Safe Start Map.

•Testing of all staff in Regions 1 through 5 and 7,at least once between the date of this order and July 3, 2020.

 

"As we continue working to protect Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19 and lower the chance of a second wave, we must do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable Michiganders and those frontline workers who care for them,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.“ Continuous testing and proper staffing are crucial to that effort. As we continue to safely reopen sectors of our economy, Director Gordon and I will keep working with our partners in health care to ensure protections for our most vulnerable populations and for the brave men and women on the front lines fighting this virus.”