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Update of Coronavirus in Walton County Long-Term Care Facilities 05-09-20

By Patricia Roberts

May 09, 2020

May 09, 2020

UPDATE OF CORONAVIRUS IN WALTON COUNTY
LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
Measures To Support Long-Term Care Facilities

Contact:
Patti Roberts
Patricia.roberts@FLHealth.gov
850-401-6353

DeFuniak Springs, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) is working closely with local nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to take proactive steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Nursing home populations are at a higher risk of being affected by COVID-19 because residents are typically older or disabled adults often with underlying chronic medical conditions.

As of May 9, 2020, there is currently one long-term care facility in Walton County that has positive cases of COVID-19. The facility is Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in DeFuniak Springs. The Florida Department of Health publishes the list at
FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.

The daily COVID-19 report also includes information from the Agency for Health Care Administration, by county about cases and deaths related to staff or residents in long-term care facilities.
There have been 24 residents and/or staff that have tested positive for COVID-19 and two deaths in Walton County. This report is also available at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov.

  Updated demographic information on cases due to ongoing epidemiological
  investigations,
Data in this report are provisional and subject to change: 55 Walton
  County cases include: Laurel Hill-Paxton (1) DeFuniak Springs (27) Freeport (3),
  Miramar Beach (3), Santa Rosa Beach (11), Out-of-state tested in Walton County (10)

Measures to Support Long-Term Care Facilities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that nursing homes:
   • Restrict all visitation except for certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life
      situations

   • Restrict all volunteers and non-essential healthcare personnel (HCP), including non-essential
      personal care providers (e.g., barbers)

   • Cancel all group activities and communal dining

   • Implement active screening of residents and HCP for fever and respiratory symptoms

DOH-Walton monitors implementation of the CDC’s guidelines by facilitating daily communication and
conducting readiness assessments with each Walton County long-term care facility. The readiness
assessments include an infection control evaluation, education of prevention measures and resources

available to support prevention practices, contact information for epidemiology and
infection control specialists. These proactive steps improve long-term care facilities’
ability to:

   • Prevent the introduction of COVID-19 into the facility.

   • Identify infections early.

   • Mitigate the spread if infection occurs.

   • Assess the facility’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

   • Initiate measures to optimize the supply of PPE.

   • Manage severe illness.

COVID-19 symptoms and treatment

The symptoms of COVID-19 can mirror illnesses such as influenza. Patients with COVID-19 typically
display symptoms such as fever (100.4°F or higher), cough, and/or shortness of breath within 2 to 14
days of exposure to the virus. Approximately 80% of those affected with COVID-19 report mild to
moderate illness and experience a complete recovery. Some experience more severe illness. People who are more vulnerable to the illness include individuals who are over age 65 with underlying health
conditions, immunocompromised, ill or have underlying chronic health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.

Many cases of COVID-19 can be managed at home by treating symptoms, and this is encouraged.
However, if you develop worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or inability to
drink fluids, contact 911 and advise them of your symptoms as you may need treatment at a hospital.

COVID-19 overview, symptoms, and general prevention

COVID-19 is a new type of coronavirus; coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals. Other coronaviruses include the common cold and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 is believed to have emerged from an animal source and is now capable of spreading from person-to-person. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.

For more Information on COVID-19

The Joint Information Center on COVID-19 for the State of Florida is also issuing regular
updates daily. Updated information can also be found at
https://walton.floridahealth.gov/,
www.floridahealth.gov and www.cdc.gov or you can call the COVID-19 Call Center (866)
779- 6121 24/7 or email
COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The Florida Department of Health has
launched a
COVID-19 dashboard that will be updated daily with specific County information
more information on daily case by case can be found on daily report
https://floridadisaster.org/covid19/. Expansion to private laboratories has changed the
COVID-19 testing landscape in Florida. Private laboratories are running tests as they receive
swab samples from practitioners. Testing and reporting times vary among commercial and
DOH laboratories. Demographic information may be updated during epidemiological
investigations. These daily reports reflect the state’s efforts to accurately and transparently
share information.

DOH-Walton has also initiated the use of Nextdoor application for
Public Agencies, to share information with Walton County residents.
For more information and/or to sign up visit Nextdoor.com.

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About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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