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1 floor of local nursing home turned into 'step-down' facility for patients recovering from COVID-19

The goal is to keep other residents safe and free up hospital beds.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla — 10Investigates was the first to tell you Tuesday about a portion of a Hillsborough County long-term care building being used as a “step-down” unit for COVID-19 positive residents.

On Wednesday, May 20, 10Investigates learned that The Inn at University Village is the location where these residents will be taken to.

Hillsborough County officials said patients who are still COVID positive but no longer need to be observed at the hospital will be sent to one floor at this facility. We’re told the floor currently has 60 beds but can accommodate more.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has mentioned them in multiple news conferences, and 10Investigates has been requesting a list of local facilities for weeks.

According to county leaders, patients who are taken to the step-down facility will have to test negative for COVID-19 twice before being sent back to their nursing homes.

We’re told no one has been transported to the facility yet, but they are expected this week.

This is a developing story. Our 10Investigates team is gathering info and when we have more we will pass that along to you. 

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