ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is thinking of relaxing his assisted living facility visitation ban even as Florida’s daily death count from the coronavirus has spiked to a new height with 191 reported fatalities.
The state banned in-person visits in mid-March and did not allow patients who tested positive for COVID-19 to return to nursing homes that lacked an isolation ward.
“It was the right decision, I think it has kept virus out that otherwise would have gone in, but it does come at a cost, and I think folks really want to have that emotional and personal connection with their loved ones, and if there’s ways we can do that, than we should do it,” said DeSantis during a news conference Tuesday.
The governor said the use of rapid tests that provide a result not long after it's performed can help ensure visitors are safe.
“It’ll be a 15-minute test. If you have the ability to do that, then I think that we need to start to talk about visitation again,” DeSantis said. “I really, really worry about the toll that the isolation has had on people in long-term care facilities.
The total number of coronavirus deaths in Florida climbed to more than 6,100. The health department also reported 9,230 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total for the pandemic to nearly 442,000.
Statistics show the number of patients treated in hospitals statewide for the coronavirus was steady over the past 24 hours at just over 9,000. That's down from about 9,500 a week ago.
- Car of missing St. Petersburg woman, daughter seen in Tennessee
- Florida reports incorrect child COVID-19 rates amid debate over reopening schools
- Florida is in the cone of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine
- Pinellas County school leaders vote to push school year start to Aug. 24
- Did you get a weird seed packet in the mail? Don't open it: Here's what to do
- GOP unveils 'HEALS' Act with another round of $1,200 stimulus checks
FREE 10 TAMPA BAY APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter
