Lee County senior care facilities release info about COVID-19

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2015 file photo, an elderly couple walks down a hall of a nursing home in Easton, Pa. Research released on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 shows fatal falls have nearly tripled in older Americans in recent years, rising to more than 25,000 deaths yearly. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Seven people from Life Care Center of Estero are all in the hospital because of coronavirus. That’s according to the executive director of Life Care Center. Last week, we learned the facility had three residents test positive for COVID-19, and one died.  

We have updates Monday from almost all of the senior care facilities with cases in Lee County.  

American House: No update yet on website

On April 8, 2020, we were notified one employee at our Fort Myers community tested positive. We then immediately alerted residents and families.

Arbor at Shell Point: Nothing on website.

The health and safety of the residents and employees of Shell Point Retirement Community is our number one priority. Shell Point’s management team has been proactively following all of the recommendations of the CDC, the State of Florida, the Florida Department of Health, AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) and other regulatory agencies. We support the transparency that the report from the Florida Department of Health offers; however, Shell Point does not release any personal medical or heath related information regarding residents or staff.

Barkley Place: Notice on website. Resident tested positive on March 29. Hadn’t been at facility since March 27. Notice on website dated on March 31.

There has been one confirmed case of COVID-19 at Barkley Place.  The affected resident was last in the community on 3/27 and tested positive on 3/29.  We alerted all residents and team members via letter on 3/31 when we learned of the positive diagnosis.

The letter we shared with residents, family members and team members is attached.

There have been no other cases of the virus involving residents or team members since that initial case.

Cypress Cove At Healthpark Florida: Update posted on April 17 saying no known cases.

(Fort Myers, Fl – April 20, 2020) – Management at the HealthPark Florida Life Plan community of Cypress Cove confirms that a resident of its community died earlier this month from COVID-19, while under care at a local Lee Health facility.

A male resident, who had surgery at a local acute care hospital, was placed in isolation in Cypress Cove’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation center following protocols for any person coming from a local hospital during the current concerns regarding COVID-19. After 12 days of rehabilitation, he exhibited symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and was immediately returned to the hospital where he tested positive for the virus and remained in their care.

Lee County public health officials were immediately notified, and all required and recommended CDC, state and federal guidelines were followed. Following an extensive exposure investigation, out of an abundance of caution, several Cypress Cove employees were sent home for a 14-day self-quarantine.

“We have been totally transparent to residents, staff and to the family and friends of residents throughout this sad incident,” explains Cypress Cove Executive Director Tim Ficker. Residents, their families, and Cypress Cove staff were notified shortly after community officials were notified on April 1 that the individual had tested positive for COVID-19.

Cypress Cove also posted on its website a notification of the incident and continues to keep residents, staff and family informed of preventive campus actions. “Please be assured, that protection of everyone’s health and well-being continues to be our highest priority,” notes Ficker. “Daily screening and periodic checks of staff and residents are among a broad range of preventive measures initiated to prevent the infiltration and unintentional spread of coronavirus to our campus,” Ficker added.

No other resident in the Life Plan community of 600 has shown symptoms, nor tested positive for the virus.

Discovery Village At The Forum: Nothing on website about cases.

Press Statement – April 20, 2020

Our Enhanced Operational Protocols and Procedures will continue to remain in effect throughout Discovery Village At The Forum independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, in an effort to fully eradicate the spread of this easily transmitted infectious disease. These protocols include numerous standards that meet and often exceed those recommended by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. We continue to have dedicated resources that review our protocols daily and make adjustments as the environment continues to evolve each day.

We learned that one of our assisted living residents tested positive for COVID-19 and unfortunately has passed away. Given the close relationships between our team members and our residents, it saddens us greatly that a family member of our own, friend and neighbor has passed away. We send our deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time.

We’ve increased our Enhanced Operational Protocols, which now includes precautionary COVID-19 testing throughout the community for residents and team members, to not only help stop the spread of this easily transmitted infectious disease, but this also allows an opportunity of early detection for residents and team members so they may seek medical attention sooner; providing them the greatest chance of recovery.

We thank our residents and families for their continued support, as well as heartfelt thank-yous to our courageous team members for their tireless efforts during this difficult time.

Healthpark Care Center: Nothing specific to center.

From Lee Health: 

When any patient in our care tests positive for COVID -19 they are notified  as soon as possible either in person or by phone.  We inform the patient, their families and our employees so proper precautions can be taken to limit the spread of the virus. To be clear, there are no patients at HealthPark Care & Rehab Center at this time who are positive for COVID-19. Confirmed at least one case at the facility in the past.

Lehigh Acres Health And Rehabilitation Center: Message from CEO on April 15, no cases acknowledged. Have not received response.

Life Care Centers of Estero: Statement from Executive Director on April 17. Three positive residents, one passed away, two still in hospital.

4/20 As of now, we have seven patients who have tested positive and are receiving care in the hospital.

Manorcare Health Services: Nothing on website about positive cases.

Yes, we do inform families, patients and employees. I do not have confirmation yet about this center but believe there is one positive case.

Palms of Fort Myers: Nothing on website. 

The health and safety of the residents and employees of Shell Point Retirement Community is our number one priority. Shell Point’s management team has been proactively following all of the recommendations of the CDC, the State of Florida, the Florida Department of Health, AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) and other regulatory agencies. We support the transparency that the report from the Florida Department of Health offers; however, Shell Point does not release any personal medical or heath related information regarding residents or staff.

Shell Point Nursing Pavillion: Nothing on website.

The health and safety of the residents and employees of Shell Point Retirement Community is our number one priority. Shell Point’s management team has been proactively following all of the recommendations of the CDC, the State of Florida, the Florida Department of Health, AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) and other regulatory agencies. We support the transparency that the report from the Florida Department of Health offers; however, Shell Point does not release any personal medical or heath related information regarding residents or staff.

Signature Healthcare at College Parkway: No mention of cases.

Positive Residents: 0

Positive Staff: 4  -Staff who have tested positive will not return to work without special and verified medical clearance.

Springs At Shell Point Retirement Community: Nothing on website

The health and safety of the residents and employees of Shell Point Retirement Community is our number one priority. Shell Point’s management team has been proactively following all of the recommendations of the CDC, the State of Florida, the Florida Department of Health, AHCA (Agency for Health Care Administration) and other regulatory agencies. We support the transparency that the report from the Florida Department of Health offers; however, Shell Point does not release any personal medical or heath related information regarding residents or staff. 

Springwood Court: Have not received a response. 

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