The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported 8502 positive COVID-19 cases out of nearly 100,000 tests performed Friday, bringing the state totals to 526,577 cases with 8,109 deaths related to COVID-19.
Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the formation of Florida’s Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long-Term Care Facilities. Members of the task force will work together to develop guidelines on how to safely allow family members to visit their loved ones in Florida’s long-term care facilities where visitation has been prohibited since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The last four and a half months have been difficult for all Floridians, especially our residents in long-term care facilities and their families,” said Governor DeSantis. “In an effort to protect our most vulnerable, we made the difficult decision in March to prohibit visitation to these facilities. While these measures were necessary, it has taken an emotional toll on our families. I look forward to the ideas that arise from this task force on how we can continue our mission to protect the vulnerable while allowing for the much-needed human connection of spending time with family and friends.”
We have to come up with an outdoor location where families can see their loved ones on an appointment basis and limited time. All precautions need to take place and social distance is a must. My mother is completely isolated with no visitors since March. She is at her peak.