Petition Calls For Immediate Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing In Oklahoma Nursing Homes

An advocate for safe nursing homes in Oklahoma launched a change.org petition calling for immediate testing in nursing homes.

“Nursing homes are the epicenters of COVID-19 eruptions,” said Wes Bledsoe, creator of A Perfect Cause.

Bledsoe has been calling for nursing home reform for years. He said his most recent message to state officials to protect the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic has been silenced.

“I’m getting, it’s a hoax, it’s nothing worse than the flu, it’s all going away by spring,” said Bledsoe.

But the numbers of positive cases continue to grow, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The highest number of positive cases were in Oklahomans over the age of 50.

Bledsoe said instead of setting up mobile tests sites, he wants tests brought to the thousands of nursing homes across the state and the country.

“Nursing homes and long term care facilities should be the priority for COVID-19 testing,” said Bledsoe.

His petition did not stop with Oklahoma leaders, he urged the country to take swift action.

“We’re not only endangering the patient, the resident of the facilities,” said Bledsoe. “We’re endangering the staff; we’re endangering the staff’s families and we’re spreading into the communities from there.”

He said cases have been confirmed in eight Oklahoma facilities. One being Grace Living Center in Norman where two people died last week.

Related Story: 7 Nursing Home Patients Test Positive For Coronavirus In Norman

“Patients, residents and staff,” said Bledsoe. “Test them all. Once tested, isolate the positives from the negatives.”

He said ignoring the nursing homes would have a ripple effect and impact local hospitals by overwhelming them.