Northam Cites Health Crisis In Naming Nursing Homes In Outbreaks

KINGSTOWNE, VA – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has addressed questions about his decision to release the names of more than 60 long term care facilities across the state reporting coronavirus outbreaks, calling it a "public health concern" and citing concerns over misleading data from other entities.

In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Northam discussed efforts to safely reopen long term care facilities and share information with the public on the number of coronavirus cases at those facilities.

As of Friday, the Virginia Department of Health is releasing the names of nursing homes, assisted living and multi-care facilities across the state reporting outbreaks of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

"Long term care facilities are home to some of our most vulnerable Virginians and we will continue to make them a top priority of our COVID-19 response," Northam said.

Northam said the decision to release the names of long term care facilities with coronavirus outbreaks was made in response to a lot of misinformation coming out of Washington, specifically noting that data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been inconsistent.

"I have always said that the more transparency we have the better, as long as we protect people's privacy," he said. "It all boils down to whether it's a public health risk. There are more nursing homes now that have had outbreaks. And so for the public health safety of individuals in these nursing homes, that's why the decision was made."

The decision to release the data regarding long term care facilities represents a reversal in Northam's previous comments that releasing the information would violate residents' privacy.

"Now that there are more cases in these facilities, we can make an exception and release this information without compromising confidentiality," he said. "We believe there is more room for clarity in the law for this and are discussing legislative options with our fellow law makers."

The report as of Tuesday shows outbreaks in progress at long term care facilities across the state, shown below.

The Virginia Department of Health has also shared guidance for phased reopening for long term care facilities as the state moves through phase two and looks forward to moving into phase three on July 1.

Northam said the state has invested $246 million in funding from the CARES Act to support long term care facilities, including $152 million from the Provider Relief Fund, which goes directly to facilities.

"This will help facilities address staffing shortages, infection control measures, PPE purchases and new periodic testing requirements," Northam said. "I know that these past months have been a hard time for every residents of long term care facilities, their families and the staffs who work there. It's difficult when you can't see an aging parent to see how they are doing," he said.