MANATEE COUNTY – Two thirds of all deaths from COVID-19 in Manatee County are from inside a pair of nursing rehab centers.
On Wednesday a spokeswoman with the two nursing rehabilitation centers confirmed 23 deaths between the Riviera Palms Nursing & Rehab Center in Palmetto and the Braden River Rehab Center in Bradenton.
More than 300 facilities across the state are reporting positive coronavirus cases among staff and the most vulnerable…elderly patients.
In a statement sent out by the management company of both facilities, Southern Healthcare Management, LLC, spokeswoman Susan Karr says “As we face the unprecedented threat of COVID-19, we want you to know that the health and safety of our residents and staff remains the center’s top priority.” And “Our concern goes out to all who are suffering, and we grieve for the treasured members of rehabilitation centers family who have passed during the pandemic due to COVID-19 or to underlying health conditions that may have been complicated by COVID-19.”
Riviera Palms staff is reporting a total of 19 residents have tested positive with eight being hospitalized. At Braden River 27 residents have tested positive for coronavirus with 10 having to be hospitalized.
Karr says both facilities “are doing everything possible to limit COVID-19’s impact at our center.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis released on Saturday night the 303 nursing homes. According to the Florida Department of Health across the state there have been 1,785 cases in long-term care facilities, resulting in 175 deaths. In Manatee they account for 23 of the county’s 34 coronavirus deaths.
Karr says both location are taking the necessary precaution to stop the spread within their own facilities. Karr states the nursing homes “are adhering to recommended protocols and guidelines from local, state, and federal public health agencies and medical experts.” However despite following CDC protocols, at Braden River 26 of its staff have tested positive and at Riviera Palms a total of 28 staff have tested positive for the virus.
SNN’s was not able to get an immediate response from administrators at either facility. This is a developing story and will be updated with the latest information.