ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A combined total of 36 COVID-19 coronavirus patients were taken to local hospitals from St. Pete Nursing and Rehab and Gulf Shore Rehab, 10Investigates has learned.
Ten of those patients were from St. Pete Nursing and Rehab; two staff were also removed from the facility Monday.
A total of 35 patients have tested positive at Gulf Shore Rehab, which is up 29 from Monday when only five had tested positive and were taken to area hospitals.
Eight of those residents are in the process of being removed. They were asymptomatic and in stable condition, an official said.
Pinellas County commissioners confirmed the uptick in transports to 10Investigates, saying all were being taken to area hospitals after testing positive.
The Department of Health and American Health Care Association, along with fire departments, are now working at the facilities regarding infection control and testing.
The Long-Term Care Task Force notified county commissioners by email, telling them they discussed concerns at the facilities on a special call earlier in the day.
"In an attempt to help protect our wonderful residents, we have sent those few, who are suspected of having the new COVID virus, to the hospital for testing and treatment," Gulf Shore said in a statement, in part. "We currently have no identified COVID positive residents in-house.
"We thank our peers who have heroically stepped up in unprecedented times to meet the challenges of the COVID pandemic."
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