In Plymouth, senior nursing homes are the hot spot for Covid-19 cases, as in many other communities statewide. And, Robert Eisenstein, a Senior Living Consultant, tells Moderator Steven Triffletti, on PACTV, that the state has now mandated a testing program in nursing homes across the Commonwealth.
Eisenstein says both residents and staff are included in the testing program:
For some enhanced funding there’s a deadline of May 25th for all the nursing home to have tested all their residents and staff. So we have seen a big up-tick in the number of testing. That’s the good news. As everybody knows that when you have more testing obviously you’re going to have more positive cases and therefore, unfortunately more deaths related to that.”
And just over the last week…
“…we went up in terms of testing by 80 additional facilities, that includes nursing homes, rest homes, assisted living, independent living—all residential setting where seniors are living. And that accounted for almost 7,000 tests, in total—again, residents and staff.”
But, another side-effect to the increase in testing…
“…is positive cases for employees.”
And positive cases require a 14-day quarantine resulting in a serious shortage of CNA’s or Certified Nursing Assistants. Anyone interested in applying for such work, can go to: ma dept of public health and find the staffing portal. And in addition, Eisenstein says:
“We’re also giving a $1,000 bonus.”
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