Yesterday Governor Larry Hogan announced Maryland’s first three confirmed positive travel-related cases of COVID-19 in Montgomery County and declared a state of emergency to accelerate the state’s coordinated response. All three positive cases were contracted while traveling abroad and the patients currently remain in good condition while quarantined in their homes.
The Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM) continues to closely monitor COVID-19. Along with our national partner, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (ACHA/NCAL), HFAM has been actively collaborating with federal and state agencies and the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) to discuss best practices, provide operational support, and communicate information to our members. To date, HFAM has sent 11 alerts via email to long-term and post-acute care providers and assisted living communities in Maryland since January 29, 2020.
As with the flu, older people and those with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease and diabetes seem to be at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Across all settings, older people, those with underlying conditions, and their families should remain vigilant in following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding social distancing and hand wishing.
As our members generally care for older residents that are often medically complex, they continue to implement precautionary safety measures and vigilantly follow guidance from the CDC and Maryland Department of Health (MDH).
Resident safety is a top priority for HFAM and our members. While most Americans have a low risk of exposure, we have reminded our members to take precautions to help reduce the potential for spread by reviewing their infection prevention and control policies and practicing everyday prevention measures such as frequent hand washing.
Prudent healthcare providers across all settings have been and continue to review operational plans and historical experiences related to previous coronaviruses such as MERS and SARS. Following federal and state guidance, Maryland long-term and post-acute care providers continue to review both visitation and work policies and are implementing precautionary restrictions as necessary.
COVID-19 spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this with the coronavirus, but it is not thought to be the main way that the virus spreads.
The symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Visitors, staff members, volunteers, and vendors who are experiencing these symptoms should not go to skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living campuses, or hospitals.
The best way to remain updated on COVID-19 developments and information is to regularly check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) websites.
