Coronavirus: Northam Seeks To Bolster Health Care Workforce In VA

VIRGINIA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued an executive order Friday that eases restrictions on doctors and nurses in attempts to bolster the health-care workforce responding to new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 illness.

While data modeling shows Virginia's hospital resource supply is sufficient now, Northam's order prepares for staffing needs under a surge scenario. According to the governor's office, an additional 30,000 workers would be needed in hospitals, long-term care facilities and health departments if Virginia experiences a surge of cases. Northam added that FEMA granted approval for hotels to be used for first responders and other essential personnel who are part of the coronavirus response.

Under Northam's new order, a licensed out-of-state health care practitioner will be allowed to provide their respective services in Virginia during the state of emergency. Nurse practitioners licensed in Virginia with two or more years of clinical experience can practice in the area in which they're certified and prescribe without a written or electronic practice agreement. Interns, residents, and fellows with active temporary training licenses in Virginia can practice in a hospital without supervision from a licensed physician or faculty member. Licensed out-of-state practitioners may also provide telehealth services to Virginia residents who are current patients. The order is in effect from April 17 to June 10.

"As a doctor, I know this pandemic is placing extraordinary demands on our doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other staff," said Northam at a Friday news conference. "This order will allow us to expand our workforce so that more trained medical professionals can step up and help meet the need."

Northam continues to call for medical professionals to join the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps. He says volunteers in the reserve are being connected to long-term care facilities with staffing shortages. He added that the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University are providing testing in these facilities "when resources allow." The state laboratory is providing some testing supplies.

The Virginia Department of Health has expanded state laboratory testing criteria to include people about to be admitted into long-term care facilities with symptoms. The testing criteria also covers residents and workers in congregate settings who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 illness. As of Friday, 66 of the state's 117 outbreaks are in long-term care facilities, representing at least 665 cases and 37 deaths.

"We will work to make sure that any nursing home or long-term care facility experiencing a breakout can test every resident in the facility as well as the staff," said Northam.

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Northam said Virginia has received $1.6 billion of the federal stimulus package, which will go to the state's coronavirus response and to localities. He and other governors spoke with President Trump on Thursday about his three-phase guidance for reopening economies. "Those guidelines are consistent with everything in Virginia we have been doing and will continue to do, a phased approach based on science and data," said Northam. "We are making plans so we have screening, testing, tracking and isolation options. We need resources for testing, supplies for the workforce to do the tracking, apps for this to work, and more."

The first phase under the White House's criteria would require positive tests on a downward trend for 14 days, but Virginia doesn't meet that criteria as cases continue to rise. On Friday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 7,491 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 602 from the previous day. The total number of deaths increased by 23 to 231 statewide. Dr. Norm Oliver, the state health commissioner, said one reason for Friday's increase is an outbreak at a nursing home in the Central Shenandoah Health District.

As the national supply chain for protective gear continues to be a concern, Northam said the state is diversifying the sources it is soliciting supplies from. UPS announced Friday it is donating 7,500 N95 respirator masks to hospitals across Virginia. In addition, the state received its first shipment of personal protective equipment in the $27 million contract with Northfield. That includes more than 24,000 N95 respirator masks, as well as gloves and gowns. More shipments are expected in the coming weeks. Northam praised innovative methods amid shortages, such as Virginia Commonwealth University's method to clean N95 masks with ultraviolet radiation allowing reuse.

On Wednesday, Northam extended the closure of non-essential recreation, entertainment, and personal care businesses to May 8. The order would have expired on April 23. In addition to the non-essential business closures, restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery only through May 8. The order also bans gatherings of more than 10 people and closed K-12 schools for the academic year.

The stay-at-home order remains effective through June 10. Under this order, residents are asked to stay home except for essential tasks such as obtaining food and medical care and exercising outdoors. Northam encouraged the public to wear cloth face coverings in certain public places but did not make it a requirement as Gov. Larry Hogan ordered in Maryland.

Northam is in close contact with leaders from Maryland, D.C. and North Carolina so that the neighboring jurisdictions can coordinate on reopenings. At Friday's news conference, he reiterated how he will decide to lift restrictions.

"I want to get back to a place where all businesses can be open, and we will get there," he said. "But we have to do it with deliberation using science, data and testing to make sure that we do it safely. Otherwise cases will spike. We'll be right back where we started and all the sacrifices people have already made will have been for nothing."

SEE ALSO:

• Northam Extends Coronavirus Closure Of Non-Essential Businesses
• VA Coronavirus Hospitalizations Drop; No Shortage In Ventilators
• Long-Term Care Residents At Risk From Coronavirus Test Shortage