DeLand, FL - With the announcement yesterday of Governor Ron Desantis' SAFE. SMART. STEP-BY-STEP. Plan to Re-Open Florida, the Volusia County Council is expected to follow suit at today's daily briefing, scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
During yesterday's (April 29) briefing, Florida Department of Health Director Patricia Boswell reported that assessments are happening across the county. "Your local health department is conducting assessments at facilities. Each assessment team includes a nurse and an evironmnetal health specialist. The purpose of the visit to review their prevention control practices and provide education."
Boswell says the assessments are all about infection control. There's also strong education components to these visits. It's important for staff, when they're not feeling well, to report it and stay home. "We also provide detailed education on cleaning and disinfection, environmental controls, which PPE to use for the situation and how to use it effectively."
To date, 27 of the 29 skilled nursing facilites, 15 of the 102 assisted living facilities, and two of the five hospice facilities. Boswell said the DOH has requested 20 facilities be tested next week. "We want to rapidly idenitfy the virus before it spreads. Which would be testing 1,165 of their staff and if this is scheduled, it would be conducted next Monday and Thursday."
