NURSING HOMES

Gov. Ron DeSantis held another event to promote Regeneron treatments for COVID-19 Monday, kicking off a new clinic site at Camping World Stadium in Orlando amid the surge in cases and hospitalizations in the state. But asked why he hasn’t been promoting vaccinations with the enthusiasm he’s been pushing the monoclonal antibody treatment for those already infected, DeSantis downplayed the effectiveness of vaccines when it came to transmission and said “our entire vulnerable population has basically been vaccinated.”

“Until then and even after that much-anticipated day, nursing homes will continue to implore their neighbors to practice infection control measures in the community because our medically fragile seniors are so susceptible to this horrible disease,” director Pat Comstock said. “Nursing home staff will continue to do all they can to protect their residents, as they have throughout the pandemic, but we cannot do it alone.”

The number of nursing homes that have reported at least one new staff member with COVID-19 also increased from the previous week, from 30% to 37%. More nursing homes -- 15% compared with 12% the week before -- also reported at least one new resident COVID-19 case. Four percent reported at least one new resident death because of coronavirus, up from 3% the previous week, according to the reports.

State records show there are 151,724 people living at 4,480 licensed long-term care facilities. According to the Florida Health Care Association, the long-term care facilities support 287,298 jobs. The state’s approach to testing at long-term care facilities, he said, is considered a “representative sample." DeSantis has now ordered long-term care facility employees to visit testing sites for bi-weekly coronavirus tests. With the reopening of some non-essential businesses on Monday, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he is going to be working with DeSantis to improve efforts at long-term care facilities.

WILTON MANORS, Fla. – In an outbreak with more than 80 cases, 16 residents of The Manor Pines Convalescent Center in Wilton Manors died of complications with the coronavirus disease, state officials reported on Friday. According to the Florida Department of Health’s Friday report, the number of residents who died of the respiratory illness increased from 3 to 16 in one week. Officials also reported 86 coronavirus cases are linked to the nursing home including 57 residents and 29 employees. They’re now calling for more to be done to protect the life of their mother, and her fellow residents. Florida’s DOH reported 83 deaths are linked to coronavirus outbreaks at long-term care facilities in Broward County.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The coronavirus pandemic is impacting the Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood in Broward County. Residents at the assisted living facility at 2480 N. Park Rd. reported receiving an e-mail warning them a resident was diagnosed with COVID-19, the infectious respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus. According to the e-mail from Rene Sanz, the ALF’s executive director, and Jill Aaron, his assistant, the resident who tested positive was hospitalized on Tuesday. The ALF operator suspended group activities and isolated residents in their rooms.