LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Wednesday to protect the health and safety of long-term care staff and residents.
According to the governor's office, the tight living and working space, the vulnerable state of the residents, along with the lack of personal protection equipment make the facilities at risk for multiple positive tests of coronavirus.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will work with long-term care facilities to create regional hubs to give higher levels of care to patients in need.
Regular nursing facilities will provide normal care for the rest of the residents. According to the governor's office, this may include taking care of a patient with COVID-19 that does not require specialized care and services.
Additionally, the order requires long-term care facilities to inform residents and staff if anyone has coronavirus or any of the symptoms.
According to the order, nursing homes will need to have separate units for anyone who tests positive for coronavirus or has any of the symptoms.
The order also ensures that residents of long-term care facilities get the care they need while being in a safe environment and prevents them from being evicted.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement, “This executive order will help ensure that our long-term care facilities are using best practices to keep their residents and employees safe.”
