At long-term care facilities, toll nears 600

The new coronavirus is linked to 569 deaths among residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in South Florida, according to state data as of Friday. That’s 76 more than the previous week.

Statewide, there have been 1,189 residents of long-term care facilities whose deaths are counted as COVID-19 fatalities. This is an overall increase of 157 deaths in the past seven days.

That means there was a 15.2% increase in deaths for the week. Also, 11 employees have died since the outbreak began, records show.

Overall, Florida has reported 2,447 confirmed deaths from coronavirus-related illness — so those involving residents and staff at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities account for about 49% of those fatalities.

The state Health Department releases a list once a week, usually on Fridays, identifying the facilities that have been hit by coronavirus-related deaths.

Another report shows at least 8,998 people at the facilities have tested positive for infections so far. That’s about 16% of the state’s 55,424 cases as of Saturday.

The data shows 257 of Florida’s longterm care facilities have reported at least one death so far; 21 more facilities have had deaths since a week ago.

From May 15-22, 199 resident deaths were reported in the facilities, which continue to have restrictions keeping visitors out as a measure to protect those who are most vulnerable to the disease. Health officials also have transferred at least 2,464 infected residents to hospitals.

The most deaths anywhere have happened at Fair Havens Center Nursing Home in Miami Springs. There have been 33

resident deaths, an increase of five in the past seven days.

Next is Seminole Pavilion Rehabilitation and Nursing Services in Pinellas County, where 24 residents and one staffer have died, figures that were unchanged.

The hardest-hit nursing home in Broward is Manor Pines Convalescent in Wilton Manors, where 20 residents have died, according to the state report. That includes two deaths in the past week.

Nspire Healthcare in Lauderhill has had 18 resident deaths so far, an increase of three in the past week.

Breaking down the data further: There have been 312 long-term care facility resident deaths in MiamiDade County, 136 in Palm Beach County, and 121 in Broward County, the weekly state report shows. The figures also include four staff deaths in MiamiDade and one staff death in Broward.

According to the Florida Health Care Association, a trade group, there are 691 licensed nursing homes in the state with more than 84,400 beds, and 3,080 assisted-living facilities with more than 106,000 beds.