ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) – Top Republican lawmakers say there are still unanswered questions, after Governor Tim Walz announced the first nursing home will be accepting less-critical COVID patients from overburdened hospitals in Minnesota.

Rochester Senator Carla Nelson asks if incoming COVID patients will be contagious — and if residents and their families will be notified that they’re arriving.

“Making sure that residents are protected, staff is protected and that of course patients who are being transferred from hospitals to long-term care settings are being protected,” said Nelson.

State health officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Two weeks ago at a hearing they told lawmakers that long term care facilities must still follow all protocols, when deciding whether they can still protect residents while accepting transfer patients from hospitals.