Florida nursing-home records show flurry of deaths

Florida health administrators Friday released detailed information about coronavirus fatalities at long-term care facilities in the state after more than a month of refusing to discuss the virus’ toll. But as has been the case throughout the pandemic, the new numbers raise questions about their reliability.

The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis disclosed the fatality numbers after several news organizations, including the Miami Herald, filed suit under the state’s public-records law to force the data’s release. The release came in the wake of withering pressure from elder advocates and the families of long-term care residents who have been isolated in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities for over a month.

The data show that nursing homes and assisted-living facilities have accounted for one in three coronavirus deaths in the state.

Problems immediately emerged with what was released. For example, more than a month ago, administrators at the 180-bed Atria Willow Wood ALF in Fort Lauderdale confirmed that at least six residents had died of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. But the chart released Friday includes only three resident deaths as confirmed, while three remained “under investigation.”

Other elements of the data raised eyebrows. One Panhandle nursing home, the 210-bed Southern Oaks Care Center, was reported to have had three resident deaths — though recent data from health administrators showed 94 residents of the Pensacola home had been infected. That would mean that 3% of the home’s residents who contracted the disease succumbed to it. Based on previous data, 40-50% of long-term care residents infected with the virus die.

Another anomaly: Among the