Suzette Cook
By Suzette Cook/Staff Writer Mainstreet Daily News
Two long-term care facilities in Alachua County are named on the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard as having positive cases.
The Oak Hammock at the University of Florida retirement community in Gainesville reports that the six residents and six staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 are all doing “okay.”
No comment has been released about case details from Parklands Care Center as of April 19.
According to the Parklands Care Center website, a statement addresses precautions that are being taken to protect residents and staff.
“The safety of Parklands Care Center Residents and Employees remains our top priority. In an abundance of caution, with coronavirus (COVID-19), this center has implemented the Governor’s Emergency Order to restrict any non-essential visitors from entry into our center, except in end-of-life situations.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at a press conference on April 18th that the FDOH would be releasing the names of long-term care facilities where a resident or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
“We have approximately 500 residents at Oak Hammock and about 325 employees,” Doria said on April 18th. Earlier in the week, the retirement community released a statement that 12 people had been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“We are still holding at 12 cases,” Doria said.
“All positive cases are isolated to the memory care unit within the Health Pavilion at Oak Hammock,” the statement reads.
“We have conducted testing of the residents and staff within that unit, and we have no new cases to report at this time. We are working closely with government officials to ensure that all necessary steps are taken, including the continued testing of additional residents and staff who live and work in other areas of our campus.
“We have notified residents, family members and staff of each positive case and continue to provide daily updates. The safety and well-being of our community members is our top priority. We have been vigilant about following the Center for Disease Control protocols by instituting all appropriately recommended precautions, and we will continue to monitor and follow all such directives.”