Several Patients Test Positive for COVID-19 at Manatee County Nursing Home

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 12, 2020

After multiple residents tested positive for the novel coronavirus this past week, medical personnel and patients at the Braden River Rehabilitation Center nursing home in Bradenton, Florida suffered another devastating blow against this deadly disease after losing one of their own due to complications from COVID-19.

According to the latest batch of statistics released by the Florida Department of Health on Friday, April 10th, 2020, the number of patients and staff affected by the coronavirus outbreak working within assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other long-term care centers has skyrocketed to 731 cases. This is a 138% increase from the 258 cases reported just 6 days earlier. Manatee County, where this particular long-term care facility is located, has quickly become a “hot spot” for COVID-19, with the 7th highest number of infections in the state.

Adding fuel to the already out-of-control fire, local health & government officials including Governor Ron DeSantis have been tight-lipped and not exactly forthcoming about which Florida facilities are suffering from coronavirus outbreaks, citing patient confidentiality clauses. Because of this issue, Susan Kaar, VP of compliance & quality management at Southern Healthcare Management LLC – which runs the Braden River Rehabilitation Center – decided to release a statement to the press.

“As everyone has been made aware, the coronavirus is a very dangerous virus especially in the elderly and it is unfortunate that we have confirmed positive cases. We want to convey our deepest concern for our residents who have been diagnosed positive for coronavirus; our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this challenging time.”

These are unprecedented times in our nation, with many doctors, nurses, and essential workers being pushed beyond their breaking points. And while everyone is doing their very best to combat COVID-19, the brutal truth is that many nursing homes and assisted living facilities from across the country, including Florida, were simply unprepared for the magnitude and gravity of this virus…which has ultimately led to many unnecessary deaths.

Sources:

• Coronavirus Florida: Bradenton nursing home residents test positive
• Bradenton nursing home reports COVID-19. Health officials decline to name other centers

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.