COVID-19 spikes at nursing home where workers complained about safety concerns

Reporter: Lauren Sweeney
Published: Updated:
Heritage Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Fort Myers. Credit: WINK News.

A nursing home where workers complained of a lack of PPE and information about coronavirus currently has more COVID-19 positive residents than any other facility in Southwest Florida.

According to Florida Department of Health data released Thursday, there are 34 COVID-19 positive residents at Heritage Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Fort Myers.

It’s not known the condition of these residents, or whether or not any of them are asymptomatic. Nursing homes are required to test 100% of all residents and staff.

Consulate Healthcare, which runs the facility, did not respond to WINK News regarding the spike in cases.

In May, the United Healthcare Workers union filed complaints with Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration and the Occupational Safety Hazard Administration after nursing assistants at the facility expressed fears about coming to work.

A spokesperson for the union said the facility began providing more personal protective equipment after WINK News reported on the worker concerns in May.

According to the most recent data, 15 workers from the facility have tested positive for the virus. The union spokesperson said several of them are currently quarantined at home.

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