*On Sunday, health department officials clarified there were eight county coronavirus cases involving long-term care facilities. Sunday, health officials said there are now two COVID-19 related deaths involving the facilities.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — At least eight county coronavirus cases, including one death, involve long-term care facilities, health department officials said Friday.
Florida Department of Health Officer Miranda Hawker said “long-term care facilities” is an umbrella term that includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Hawker said the cases involve residents or staff, but did not give further details.
“We are in constant communication with these facilities and are providing education and information on infection control and environmental cleaning,” Hawker said.
Earlier video: Florida Department of Health Officer Miranda Hawker says nine Indian River County coronavirus cases, including one death, involve long term care facilities. #VeroNews pic.twitter.com/alKdCcrtFI
— Nicholas Samuel (@JournalistNickS) April 18, 2020
It was unclear which county death was involved at the long-term care facilities. So far, two people, an 88-year-old woman and a 91-year-old man, have died from coronavirus complications, county officials report.
The woman’s case was counted April 10, and the man’s case was counted Thursday. The day the man died was not released.
More than 80 Indian River County residents have tested positive for the virus so far. Hawker said all positive cases are self-isolating at home or in the hospital.
Hawker also said the projected peak of positive coronavirus cases in Florida has been pushed back to early May. Hawker reminded residents to continue to practice social distancing and wear face cloth coverings when going outside.
Hawker said the health department has done 1,230 tests, with 1,145 testing negative, more than 80 testing positive and 64 pending.
Cory Richter, the former deputy fire chief assisting with the county’s response to the virus, said the two area hospitals are fully prepared to handle the virus. Richter said all employees at Sebastian River Medical Center are wearing protective masks.
As of Friday, the emergency services department had delivered thousands of personal protection items to healthcare facilities and public safety agencies. Those items include 27,700 gloves, nearly 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, more than 4,000 face shields, nearly 44,000 “other” masks, more than 10,000 N-95 masks, 330 goggles and more than 2,000 gowns, officials said.
Richter said there have been 62 tests done at SRMC, with 55 testing negative, two pending and five testing positive. Cleveland Clinic has done 1,206 tests, with 1,085 testing negative, 59 testing positive and 62 pending.
“The pending numbers have been going down,” Richter said. “The testing results are getting back quicker.”
Hawker said the health department has done extensive outreach in Gifford, Wabasso and Fellsmere. The health department has partnered with the local NAACP chapter and the faith community in its outreach efforts, Hawker said.
“I encourage all residents to stay home and only go out for essential trips,” Hawker said. “It’s essential for people over 65 or those who have chronic health conditions.”