After second death — and five other positive tests — Broward ALF is coronavirus hot spot
Amid heightened fears over the spread of the coronavirus throughout densely populated South Florida, a large Fort Lauderale assisted living facility — a home to the virus’ most vulnerable demographic group — has become a worrisome hot spot.
Administrators at the 180-bed Atria Willow Wood ALF informed residents and their loved ones Friday that a second resident of the home had died from COVID-19, the disease cause by the extremely contagious respiratory infection that has spurred a pandemic. The second death linked to the virus appears to be of a 93-year-old man whose test for the disease initially was reported to be negative.
On Sunday, 77-year-old Richard Curren became the first to succumb to the disease. Curren’s daughter, Tracy Curren Wieder, said Curren had been hospitalized a week ago Friday when his respiratory illness failed to improve. He suffered a cardiac arrest at Holy Cross Hospital last Sunday and could not be revived. Wieder said she was told her father had tested positive for COVID-19.
In an email to family members, Atria Senior Living’s senior vice president, Yunia González, said five other residents of the home are hospitalized, and “have tested positive for COVID-19.” González said administrators at the home, at 2855 W. Commercial Blvd., were “waiting on the test result” for six other residents.
Among them may be a person who was transported from the facility Wednesday by paramedics wearing protective equipment. It was unclear at the time whether that person was a resident or an employee.
“We remain in close coordination with the [state] Department of Health throughout the day,” González added. “We continue to take all necessary precautions as advised by health officials.”
There are 691 licensed nursing homes in Florida, representing about 84,448 beds — and another 3,080 licensed ALFs, representing about 106,103 beds.
At a news conference Wednesday, the head of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, Mary Mayhew, said 19 long-term care facilities have either suspected or confirmed cases of the virus.
Nationwide, at least 73 nursing homes and senior care centers have reported infections, according to a Washington Post review published Saturday of reports and announcements from states, local media and nursing homes. At least 55 coronavirus deaths can be linked to such facilities, but the number is likely higher, the Washington Post reported.
A deadly outbreak that killed 35 people at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington was the first to reveal the havoc the virus could cause in elder care communities, where susceptible residents live in tight quarters and regularly interact with each other, staff and outside visitors.
Another 32 people — including 16 residents, 14 staff and two visitors — are symptomatic after possible exposure at an Ohio assisted living facility.
Lacking evidence that the virus had taken hold at Willow Wood, authorities were at first reluctant to raise too many concerns at the Fort Lauderdale home, as frail and medically compromised elders die at long-term care facilities in the normal course of events.
“This terrible tragedy is yet another reminder of how important it is for us to maintain our vigilance against the spread of this disease,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.
“The inconvenience of the restrictions in our day-to-day activities is but a small sacrifice to pay in order to save lives,” Trantalis added. “Our community has come together unlike any other time in our history. It’s a proud moment for all of us to share.”
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Yunia González. The non-profit news organization ProPublica contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 5:59 PM.