LAKELAND, Fla. — Polk County is seeing an increase in coronavirus cases in its long-term care facilities.
- Positive cases jumped from 5 on April 8 to 25 on April 15
- 6 COVID-19 patients receiving care at Opis Highland Lake Center
- More Polk County stories
As of 5 p.m. on April 8, there were fives cases documented in the county’s long-term care facilities. Fast forward to 10 a.m. April 15 — there were 25 reported positive COVID-19 cases in Polk County long-term care facilities.
The Department of Health doesn’t specify which facilities have confirmed cases.
We’ve confirmed Opis Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland has at least six patients battling COVID-19.
The nursing home’s attorney, Tara Zimmerman, confirmed they are in contact with each patient’s physician about their care and have also notified the affected patients’ families.
Zimmerman added that isolation rooms have been set up for patients who’ve tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19 and staff working with them are wearing full personal protective equipment.
A spokeswoman with the Polk County Health Department said they are working with state and local partners to mitigate the spread as much as possible.
“We are in regular communication with long-term care facilities across the county. This includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities," said Nicole Riley, spokeswoman with the Polk County Department of Health. "This communication includes asking questions about any new respiratory symptoms or fever presented in staff or residents at the various facilities. We also check to see if they have adequate PPE supplies.”
In the Tampa Bay area, the only counties that have more long-term care facility COVID-19 cases are Pinellas County with 60 cases and Manatee County with 45 cases, as of 6 p.m. April 15.