Coronavirus Florida: PBC cases reach 1,841 as pressure rises for DeSantis to name hard-hit nursing homes
*
TO OUR READERS: This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support local journalism by subscribing to
*
Saying Gov.
"Transparency is key to accountability," state Sen.
In the last week, the number of new people diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus both statewide and in
>>COVID-19 statistics made simple
On Thursday, there were 22,897 confirmed cases in
Deaths, however, rose 7 percent statewide, jumping to 646 from 604 Wednesday morning.
With three more deaths overnight, the county's death toll stands at 112. That number is two more than the number cited on the state's website, which doesn't list non-
>>Growth rate of cases slowing in
However, despite an overall slowing trend, the number of people infected with COVID-19 in nursing homes and long-term care facilities has more than doubled in the last week.
On Wednesday evening, the state reported 1,332 confirmed cases among patients and staff at elder care facilities, compared to 578 last Thursday. The number in
>>Laid-off restaurant worker to walk to
It is unknown how many people who live or work at long-term health facilities have succumbed to the highly contagious respiratory disease because it isn't being reported by state health officials.
The operators of some nursing homes in
For instance, the operators of the Court at Palm Aire, a 90-bed assisted-living center in
While state officials have acknowledged some deaths among the 155,000 residents of elder care facilities around the state, they have refused to name the facilities, citing privacy laws.
Families who have loved ones in nursing homes are left to wonder if their elderly relatives are at risk, because the state isn't giving them the information they need, Farmer said.
"What is the governor trying to hide?" asked
Since the pandemic began sweeping the state, DeSantis has said he has been "laser-focused" on protecting residents of elder care facilities, which also care for people with disabilities. He barred visitors on
When problems are obvious, such as when 21 residents and 30 staff members of a nursing home in
>>Palm Beach County Elections chief backs mail voting amid national debate
Further, DeSantis has enlisted the help of the
Despite the growing numbers, DeSantis insisted he has devoted substantial resources to make sure residents and staff of elder care facilities are safe. "
Farmer, along with state Rep.
>>The virus has put a freeze on python hunting, but not the way you think
Farmer called the request "blatantly unconstitutional" and "outrageous."
Sovereign immunity, which stems from the English common law concept that the king can do no wrong, has never been extended to private businesses, said Farmer, who is a lawyer.
The association's claim that it needed "liability protection to render care without fear of reprisal during this difficult time," is offensive, Farmer said.
"They have an obligation to provide care to their patients whether it's a difficult or normal time," he said. "Nursing homes have been compensated quite handsomely to care for them."
Further, he said, DeSantis can't grant the request. It would take an act of the Legislature, which is not in session, he said.
No one from the governor's office was immediately available for comment about Farmer's claims.
>>
With more than 13,000 cases among them,
On the
Despite its ranking as the third most populous state in the nation, with more than 21 million residents, several smaller states have more cases than
The number of confirmed cases worldwide surpassed 2 million Wednesday, according to
Staff writer
@pbpcourts
>>Growth rate of cases slowing in
>>Want Coronavirus news as it happens? Sign up for our Breaking News Coronavirus email
>>COVID-19 statistics made simple
>>What you need to know,
>>
>>Food distribution operations expand across the county
>>Gear company hands out thousands of bandanas in
>>The virus has put a freeze on python hunting, but not the way you think
>>Laid-off restaurant worker to walk to
>>
>>
>>
>>Taco shop offers face masks with orders
>>Hey PBC, no wipes in the pipes! This is what it looks like when they clog the pumps
>>
>>West Palm, Jupiter firms switch from awnings, swimwear to PPEs
>>Point of View: Don't let the US healthcare system become the latest COVID-19 casualty
>>Fewer poor students log on for
>>Gov.
>>Palm Beach County Elections chief backs mail voting amid national debate
>>
>>Local business updates and announcements
>>Real estate deals in peril amid buyer fears
>>Unemployment forms available at
>>Mortgage applications suffer steep decline
>>More money coming as businesses scramble to tap banks for loans
>>Cancellations hit PBC graduations, upending seniors' 'last milestone'
>>JUPITER: Up to 94 cases; School district distributing meals at
>>
>>
>>LAKE
>>
>>JUPITER: Business is booming for Jupiter mom's cloth diaper company
>>
>>Pandemic ignites political firestorm over voting by mail
>>Lower bonds coming for some lower-level, nonviolent arrests in
>>Can't go out to eat? Here's a list of places for pick-up, delivery
>>Restaurants hurting, still helping those most hurt
>>How grocery stores take steps to avoid becoming cauldrons of contagion
>>Opinion: There are many COVID-19 tests in the US – how are they being regulated?
>>Point of View:
>>In their own words:
>>In their own words:
>>Hurricanes AD
>>
>>
>>Why Dorian won't be retired as a hurricane name this year
>>I resisted masks. Now I don't shop without one
>>
>>Thinking about my cousin, a doctor in epicenter of NYC crisi
>>A pandemic meets hurricane season in
>>My husband survived COVID-19. 'And it was one hell of a ride'
>>The virus and now this: New forecast says brace for major hurricane to strike the
>>In coronavirus' social squeeze, walls keep closing in on high-rise condo dwellers
>>PHOTOS: Coronavirus affects every way of life in
>>PHOTOS: What does your mask say about you?
>>Coronavirus Palm Beach County: What can stay open?
>>Liquor stores are considered 'critical business'? Someone will drink to that
>>Taps for World War II vet witnessed by only a few
>>Post staffers, veterans of past disasters, don't blink in the eye of the coronavirus pandemic
>>Readers tell us how they are coping day to day
>>What does the coronavirus infection do inside your body?
>>Coronavirus cases worldwide: An interactive look
>>HOW TO PROPERLY WASH YOUR HANDS: To fight off the virus, read this
VIDEO: Coronavirus vs the flu
___
(c)2020 The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Visit The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) at www.palmbeachpost.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Global Insurtech Market (2020 to 2025) – Growth, Trends and Forecasts – ResearchAndMarkets.com
easyMedicare.com Announces Theismann as Brand Ambassador
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News