Bradenton nursing home reports COVID-19. Health officials decline to name other centers
As a resident at Braden River Rehabilitation Center was wheeled out of a side door of the nursing home early Thursday afternoon, not even the patient’s face was visible.
Paramedics and staff at the nursing home were covered from head to toe, wearing gowns, masks and face shields.
The patient was loaded onto a waiting ambulance. Only a sliver of their forehead could be seen above their mask with their body covered in sheets.
A spokeswoman for Braden River confirmed residents of the facility have tested positive for COVID-19. It is one of at least three such long-term facilities in Manatee County to report cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. At least 32 patients in total have been diagnosed as positive for the disease at the local facilities.
“As everyone has been made aware, the coronavirus is a very dangerous virus especially in the elderly and it is unfortunate that we had confirmed positive cases,” said Susan Kaar, vice president of compliance and quality management at Southern Healthcare Management LLC, which runs the center. “We want to convey our deepest concern for our residents who have been diagnosed positive for coronavirus; our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this challenging time.”
Manatee County has five percent of the state’s 629 COVID cases linked to a nursing home, assisted living facility or other long-term care center, behind only Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Duval and Suwannee counties.
Officials with the state and county health departments have declined to release the names of the facilities.
“The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 cases and long-term care facilities is in the daily report which is updated twice a day,” said Manatee DOH communications director Christopher Tittel in response to the Bradenton Herald’s most recent requests for the names of the affected local facilities.
There are 60 licensed skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Manatee County.
Braden River Rehabilitation Center, 2010 Manatee Ave. E., has 208 licensed beds and is managed by Southern Healthcare Management LLC.
Citing privacy concerns, Southern Healthcare Management declined to provide the breakdown of how many patients and/or employees had fallen ill or whether there had been any deaths.
“The safety of our residents and staff is paramount. As a proactive and preventative measure, the facility management in collaboration with the local Department of Health initiated testing of all residents and staff for COVID-19,” Kaar said. “Early identification allows for better preparation in our ongoing effort to contain the virus, prior to the residents and/or staff having any signs or symptoms. This approach enhances our ability to further protect the residents and staff so all necessary care and services can be authorized sooner.”
Kaar also wouldn’t answer questions about how residents with COVID-19 are isolated from other residents. She said the facility is adhering to Centers for Disease Control protocols on pre-screening residents prior to admission, on-going monitoring of all residents, screening of staff, and maintaining compliance with infection control techniques and personal protective equipment recommendations.
“This pandemic is unprecedented and the facility staff remains committed to doing everything we can to minimize the spread of this virus,” Kaar said.
This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 5:37 PM.
