RSSCoronavirus Numbers Devastate Florida While Nursing Home Residents Sit in Limbo
According to the daily statistics from the Florida Health Department released early Friday morning, a record-breaking 8,942 new coronavirus cases have been documented in the state, which is nearly double the amount from the previous day. And as this deadly disease continues to wreak havoc across the country, many nursing home residents are left wondering if the endless days of quarantine will ever be over.
Governor Ron DeSantis has been quite vocal throughout the entire outbreak – especially now – offering frequent press conferences addressing the recent alarming spike of COVID-19 in Florida. The one thing that hasn’t been mentioned is the status of assisted living facilities or nursing homes. It is well-known that this particular demographic was dealt the most devastating blows when it comes to the coronavirus. Since March, a statewide quarantine for residents has been mandated which closed the doors to anyone that wasn’t an essential worker. For many patients of long-term care facilities, daily or weekly visits from family and friends are crucial to their survival. It not only gives them something to look forward to, but lifts their spirits as well. “Loneliness is an enemy. Hopelessness is an enemy. The more things that we can do to address each of those issues, the better off people are,” said Rick Baldwin, president of the Gardens At DePugh in Orange County.
Presently, nursing homes and assisted living centers are only required to test incoming and outgoing employees every two weeks. Local elder care advocates and members of the AARP are requesting that these facilities ramp up their testing of the novel coronavirus in order to prevent the spread to an already fragile group of people. Additionally, board members from the Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County would like to see some upgrades within the air filtration systems that are currently in place. Suggestions include the installation of HEPA-filtered “air scrubbers” which would aid in the removal of airborne toxins.
As COVID-19 stretches its destruction into the summer, the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. remains open with social distancing guidelines and procedures in place as set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are here to help you in your time of need. To schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact us today at 877-FL-INJURY.
Sources:
- Nursing homes continue to cope through the pandemic
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James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.