Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency this afternoon in response to the spread of COVID-19. The governor’s press release included steps being taken as part of the multi-agency response plan including efforts affecting nursing homes.

The announcement specifies: 

Nursing Homes

• The Virginia Department of Health has expanded its testing criteria to ensure that anyone who has symptoms and is in a nursing home is top priority and gets immediate testing.
• Nursing homes and senior care facilities have updated their policies to provide additional visitor screening and increased monitoring of patients.