Florida Health Department Releases List of Nursing Homes Affected by Coronavirus

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 21, 2020

After weeks of silence and secrecy, Governor Ron DeSantis is finally allowing state officials to release important statistics regarding the COVID-19 outbreak within Florida’s nursing home and assisted living facilities. This decision comes after growing concerns from multiple elder care advocates, as well as increased outrage from the relatives of patients who have been left in the dark about the health and well-being of their loved ones.

On Saturday, April 18, 2020, Surgeon General Scott Rivkees with the Florida Health Department released a list naming the specific elder care facilities afflicted with the novel coronavirus. According to this document, 45 of the state’s 67 counties have been affected, with 1,627 patients and medical personnel testing positive overall. Miami-Dade County tops the list with 54 reported cases.

In the days leading up to the governor’s announcement, a number of news agencies throughout Florida were in the process of putting together a lawsuit, citing that although the latest information provided by health officials has been “helpful” in the fight against COVID-19, it is simply not enough. Aminda Marqués González, executive editor and publisher with the Miami Herald, one of the media outlets at the center of this claim, released a statement to the press regarding this concerning issue:

“We are heartened that Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken this first step toward transparency. However, we urge the state to release important details – beyond the names of elderly care facilities – including the number of cases at each facility and the number of COVID-19 deaths. This is the critical information families need to make informed decisions about care for their loved ones.”

Although Governor DeSantis has taken some steps in the right direction regarding coronavirus safety procedures & protocols by banning visitors earlier last month, as well as requiring screening for all staff employed at elder care facilities, many believe that his slow reaction to this devastating disease has caused numerous unnecessary deaths.

Here at the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A., we want everyone to know that we are here for you during these difficult times. To speak with an experienced coronavirus lawsuit lawyer, please contact us today at 877-FL-INJURY.

Sources:

• Under pressure, DeSantis releases names of elder care homes with COVID-19 cases
• Florida releases names of long-term care facilities, nursing homes with COVID-19 cases

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.