TAMPA, Fla — On Monday, Florida announced 24 more COVID-19-related deaths and 18 of those are residents or staff in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, nearly 2,000 staff members have tested positive for the virus.
“I didn’t know what was wrong with me.”
10Investigates' Jennifer Titus spoke with a Bay Area woman who works at a local nursing home. She asked us to hide her identity out of fear of losing her job for speaking to us.
After feeling sick, she was tested for COVID-19. That test showed she was positive for the virus.
“My temperature was up to 104, would only get down to 99,” she explained via phone interview.
She hasn’t been back to work since. And she says a lack of PPE makes her fear for her safety.
She hopes when she goes back to work things will be different.
“We’re not seeing any changes. PPE is a real struggle,” says Bob Gibson, the Vice President of United Healthcare Workers East in Tampa.
Gibson's local union represents employees of 77 nursing homes in Florida. He says a lack of supplies is putting these employees in danger.
“There is a need for transparency making sure nursing homes are letting them know when a resident tests positive.”
As of Sunday, there were 5,884 active cases in long term care facilities across the state, 33 percent of those cases are employees.
“It’s scary. Healthcare workers are on the front line of this pandemic and they need all the tools they can to combat this on the facility level,” said Gibson.
Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state has sent 10 million masks and more than a million gloves to long-term care facilities. He also continues to tout how well the state is handling those facilities during the pandemic. Bob says for the employees he works with everyday, it’s not enough.
“We’re talking the talk lets walk the walk. It’s great saying things are under control but what we’re seeing on the ground isn’t the case.”
“I have been tested three times”
The employee we spoke to says she's been tested three times and her test finally says she’s negative for the virus but she says some in her situation aren't planning to return to jobs in long-term care facilities.
“Right now, you have people putting their two week letters in.”
She says all she can do now is pray things get better.
"Just more prayers more supplies more communication more respect."
When it comes to the distribution of masks and gloves, we have asked the state where those items have gone. They tell us they are compiling a list. We’ll let you know when we hear back.
Bob Gibson also tells 10Investigates it’s not just PPE these employees need, they also need to be able to get tested whenever they want.
The governor introduced a mobile testing unit a couple of weeks ago. We asked for a list of stops for that bus and are told it has tested four facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties but still no word on when and if it will make its way to the Tampa Bay area.
10Investigates asked the Florida Health Care Association about supplies of PPE. Kristen Knapp, their Director of Communications, sent us this response:
"Because PPE plays a significant role in keeping our caregivers protected as we focus on resident safety and work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we continue to see a high-demand for supplies. The state has provided a significant number of PPE supplies to our care centers, and facilities are also tapping into private vendors for supplies as well. Facilities have indicated they have adequate supply of gloves and hand sanitizer but could always use more masks and eye wear. There is still a shortage of gowns but we know that is because there is a nationwide shortage for those items. As the state begins to reopen, we anticipate there will continue to be a demand for PPE and cleaning supplies with doctor’s offices and other health care facilities opening, along with the general population needing more PPE. As a result, our care centers continue looking at ways to stockpile and conserve PPE as we manage this state of emergency and keep our focus on resident safety."
National Guard strike teams have made their way into local facilities to help with testing.
10Investigates has learned the following facilities have had strike teams come in:
Citrus County:
- Rosecastle of Citrus
Hardee County:
- None tested
Hernando County:
- Forest Oaks of Spring Hill
- Heron Pointe Health and Rehab
Highlands County:
- Palms of Sebring
- Sunny Hills
- Fellowship Home at Fairway
- Lake Placid Health and Rehab
- Manor at Lake Jackson
- Fellowship Home
- Southern Lifestyle
- Consulate Healthcare of Port Charlotte
- Sim Lodge
Hillsborough County:
- Promise Point at Tampa Oaks
- DACCO Men's Residential Drug Treatment Center
- Rose Castle at Delaney Creek
- Bristol at Tampa Rehab and Nursing center
- Cameron II ALF (Residential Home)
- Cameron III ALF (Residential Home)
- Senior Point ALF (Building/2 floors)
- St Joseph's ALF (residential home)
- Justin Family ALF (Residential Home)
- Friendly House of Tampa Bay, Inc.
- Florry House
- Coventry Elder Care
- Central Park
- Consulate of Brandon
- West Bay of Tampa
- Bayshore Presbyterian
Manatee County:
- Casa Mora Rehab Bradenton
- Brookdale Bradenton Gardens
- Cottages of Bradenton
- Inn at Freedom Village
- Nursing Center at Freedom Village
- Westminister Point Pleasant
- Bay Vue
Pasco County:
- Baldomero Veteran Nursing Home
- Royal Oak
- Grand Villa of New Port Richey
- Wellspring Assisted Living
Pinellas County:
- St. Marks Village
- Seminole Pavillion
- Bay Tree Center
- Carrington Place of St. Pete
- Lakeside Oaks Care Center
- Masonic Home of Florida
- Morton Plant Rehabilitation Center
- Inn at Seminole Lake
- St. Pete Nursing
Polk County:
- Brandywyne Health Care Center
Sarasota County:
- Brookdale at Deer Creek Sarasota
- Beneva Lakes
- Lifecare of Sarasota
- Tarpon Point
- Pines of Sarasota
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