NW Baltimore Nursing Facility Home To Largest COVID-19 Outbreak In Maryland

Baltimore City officials have confirmed dozens of COVID-19 cases at a nursing home in northwest Baltimore, the largest outbreak in Maryland.

The FutureCare location in Lochearn has recorded 129 cases among residents and 41 among staff members. FutureCare has implemented widespread testing. Many of the people who have tested positive are not showing symptoms, but proactive testing allows staff members to monitor and isolate patients.

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“The Baltimore City Health Department is aware of the confirmed COVID-19 cases at the FutureCare – Lochearn location, and is working diligently with FutureCare management,” Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young said in a statement. “I have spoken with Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa, and will continue to monitor the situation at this facility.”

City officials did not indicate any deaths.

The nursing home is in the 21215 ZIP code, the part of Baltimore hardest hit by the coronavirus.

Dzirasa said the city will "provide additional support as needed."

State health officials dispatched a strike team to the facility. City health officials distributed personal protective equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile and the Maryland Department of Health's cache. State and city health officials assessed the site and coordinated efforts with LifeBridge Health and Johns Hopkins. LifeBridge worked to test all the residents and staff and sent a medical survey team to provide recommendations and establish medical protocols.

“FutureCare’s highest priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our staff and residents, and we will continue to work diligently with the state and local health departments, our LifeBridge Health partners, and our Johns Hopkins infectious disease consultant, to protect our staff and residents,” said FutureCare spokeswoman Holly O’Shea.

O'Shea said FutureCare has implemented infection control procedures and implemented all of Gov. Larry Hogan's orders regarding nursing homes, including restricted visitation and universal masking.