NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group released a report Friday morning outlining Tennessee’s efforts to protect long-term care facility residents from the spread of COVID-19.
With long-term care residents comprising nearly 40 percent of all COVID-19-related deaths in Tennessee, Gov. Lee and the Unified Command have implemented a robust response to require all long-term care residents and staff to receive COVID-19 testing
Under new rules from the Department of Health, every nursing home must complete an “intent to test” survey as provided for by the department prior to June 1 and all nursing home residents and staff must be tested by June 30.
Governor Lee’s office said failure to comply will be considered “a serious deficiency,” and the department may seek license revocation, license suspension and civil monetary penalties.
CLICK HERE to read the Unified Command Group’s full report.
Gov. Lee established the UCG on March 23, 2020, to streamline the COVID-19 emergency response coordination between the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Department of Health, and the Tennessee Department of Military.