3 more Freedom Square residents test positive for coronavirus, 237 staff with possible contact

freedom square
The number of cases is expected to grow as testing continues.

Three additional residents at a Freedom Square nursing home in Seminole have tested positive for COVID-19, the facility announced Saturday.

Five residents were transported to local hospitals Friday night, three of which have tested positive and two who are awaiting test results.

The newly reported cases are from the Freedom Square Rehabilitation Center, which is a separate building from the Seminole Nursing Pavilion evacuated Friday, meaning another outbreak could ensue.

The total number of cases from Freedom Square is now 39, based on the facility’s Friday report of 36 cases and the additional three reported Saturday. Those include the Freedom Square Rehabilitation Center and the Seminole Nursing Pavilion.

As of Friday, six test results were pending leaving three remaining for tests pending related to the Seminole Pavilion.

Meanwhile, the facility identified and notified 237 employees who were directly associated with Seminole Pavilion and likely had contact with residents who tested positive for COVID-19.

The facility made testing available for those employees through BayCare. So far 91 have been tested and 13 have tested positive, according to Freedom Square.

“As we work with Department of Health leadership to implement additional measures in the days and weeks ahead, we anticipate that we will see additional residents and employees test positive,” the facility wrote in a statement.

The facility is now formally requesting the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County work with the facility “to develop more aggressive mitigation strategies.”

“The highly contagious nature of COVID-19 has proven to be an incredible challenge for health care facilities across the country, therefore we greatly value the Department of Health’s counsel and guidance as we strive to remain nimble in our response,” they wrote.

Facility leaders admitted they lacked adequate amounts of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 masks, but is working to purchase more supplies.

Freedom Square first become aware of a person who tested positive for the virus on April 9, but the facility’s outbreak was not made public until April 15 when Florida Politics first reported the outbreak.

So far, three residents have died from the facility, one who died April 11 and two others on Friday.

According to Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard, the facility had been having difficulty managing its situation, but, much to her frustration, never reached out for help.

“We have PPE we can share with them but they don’t tell us they need it,” Gerard said.

Multiple sources who asked not to be named have told Florida Politics the facility lacked adequate personal protective equipment and, in many cases, staffers were using homemade facial coverings not medically graded to protect against the virus. They were also reportedly being told to use the same gown for multiple shifts.

Asked previously about workers’ access to PPE, Michael Mason, Freedom Square executive director, declined to answer specifically. He did say the facility has preventative measures in place and  he thinks the facility is in a “comfortable position.” Mason made those comments before commissioners became aware of PPE shortages at the facility.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories