The county will start testing all residents in nursing homes for COVID-19 after getting the state's approval, Westchester County Executive George Latimer says.

He says the goal is to identify and protect those who test negative for coronavirus in nursing homes.

It comes as statistics show nursing home residents account for nearly one-fourth of the state's coronavirus death toll.

According to the state Department of Health, 284 people have died either in a nursing home or in adult care due to coronavirus as of Friday.

The county and state are working on reaching every single resident in local nursing homes, starting with Victoria Home Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ossining.

The county says the number of places it can test each day depends on the number of residents in the facility and how many existing tests have already been conducted.

The county says based on test results, a decision will be made about whether residents should go under isolation within the home or not.

News 12 reached out to Victoria Home Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for comment.

- There are around 30,000 coronavirus cases in the county, with 5,791 active cases. Latimer says that there is an almost 50% drop in number of active cases since April 18.

- There are 664 people hospitalized due to coronavirus, and 1,101 people in the county have died from COVID-19. Latimer says less than 20 people dying every day, which is a significant drop in deaths.

- Over 100,000 people in Westchester tested for coronavirus.

- Latimer says three first responders have died due to COVID-19.

- He also says that the county is expanding antibody testing, and will reach out to departments across the county to test first responders (testing is not mandatory).

- Latimer says the county is now testing people in nursing homes for COVID-19.

- He also says that during the weekend, there were people who did not comply with social distancing guidelines. Latimer says that while the county does not plan to shut down areas that have reopened, he says that he is keeping to the guidelines the county has laid out to keep people safe.

- Latimer says the county is working on a food distribution plan that will be expanded to more people.

- He also says the county is searching for contact tracers.