WASHINGTON, D.C. — A total of 82 Maine nursing homes and nursing facilities have been awarded an additional $247,577 to support increased testing, staffing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) needs, according to a news release, adding to the $10.4 million announced in August.

This targeted distribution from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund is funded through $175 billion included in the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.

Under this distribution, nursing homes that demonstrated a significant reduction in COVID-19 related infections and deaths between August and September will be eligible to apply for additional funding to improve quality and infection control in their facilities, per the release.

This performance-based payment structure will reward nursing homes for keeping new COVID-19 infection and mortality rates among residents lower than the communities they serve.

To further support nursing homes, HHS also announced Wednesday the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will be partnering with America’s nursing homes to create the National Nursing Home COVID Action Network. Through the Network, AHRQ will offer training and mentorship to the approximately 15,400 nursing homes across the country to supplement efforts aimed at protecting residents and staff.