State releases COVID-19 testing plan for long-term care facilities

State releases COVID-19 testing plan for long-term care facilities

New guidance is out for long term care facilities in oregon.

State officials say all facilities - nearly 700 across the state - will need to test staff and offer testing for residents.

Kezi 9 news reporter jacob roberts joins us live from waterford grand in eugene.

Jacob, this is a big undertaking.

How soon will it start?

Across the state, there are about 30- thousand residents at long term care facilties like these.

Getting all staff and residents tested is going to take time.

Health officials say that's why they're implementing this plan in phases.

Phase one begins on june 24th and concludes on september 30th.

The oregon health authority says in this phase, every facility will test all staff and offer testing to all residents.

The phase will begin first for facilties in multnomah, washington, clackamas, yamhill, marion and polk counties first.

These areas have more outbreaks in longterm care facilities.

It will then roll out to other counties.

In phase two, facilities will develop their own plans to continue testing.

All staff must still be tested once a month.

Facilties must implement their plan within a month of completing the first round of testing.

Long term care facilties must report their results to local health officials.

Residents who decline a test and are symptomatic will have to quarantine.

Live in eugene, jr, kezi