Coronavirus Outbreak Devastates Nursing Home Residents Across The Nation

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on March 22, 2020

A new investigative report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week detailing the original outbreak of COVID-19 at has indicated that several mistakes have been made in regards to the nursing home’s handling of the initial outbreak, which allowed medical personnel & staff to continue to work, even while showing symptoms for the coronavirus.

Widely considered to be the “epicenter” of the COVID-19 virus outbreak in the United States, the Life Care Center nestled away in Kirkland, Washington – a cozy northeastern suburb of Seattle – has seen the greatest impacts from this deadly disease. Out of the 130 elderly residents that have been tested, 62% have come back with positive results. There have been 35 fatalities reported at this facility alone. Missteps including supply shortages, proper infection control, and delayed testing are only a few of the reasons as to why this assisted living facility has been crippled by the coronavirus.

It is incredibly important to take into consideration that this is an unprecedented time in our world’s history. Many of our family members and friends are putting themselves in harm’s way, risking their own health and lives to ensure the safety of countless others. There isn’t a coronavirus “playbook,” and people are doing their very best with the situations they’ve been dealt.

As has been stated by the CDC, as well as numerous medical reports and reputable news outlets, COVID-19 has seen the greatest adverse & deadly effects in the elderly and those with immune systems that are already in a compromised state due to serious underlying issues, including, but not limited to: diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease.

Alarming to say the least, especially if you consider that this, coupled with the fact that by the end of 2020, Florida is projected to have an estimated population of 23.5 million people, with 28% of those residents being over the age of 60, according to reports from the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Broward County.

At the time of this writing, there have been 1,007 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida.

Sources:

• Coronavirus in Florida: More than 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases
• Coronavirus outbreak at Seattle-area nursing home fueled by sick workers and lack of supplies, CDC finds
• The Economic Impact of Florida Seniors
• Are You at Higher Risk for Severe Illness?

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.