long term care facilities

The state Agency for Health Care Administration website shows that only 17 nursing homes and eight assisted living facilities have not fully complied with the requirements.

The state has told the nursing home industry to abide by recently issued federal guidelines that allow visitors to touch fully vaccinated residents.

Under a bill, Florida facilities would be allowed to operate apprenticeship programs and use participants’ on-the-job training to meet state minimum staffing requirements.

Federal records show a steep decline in staff cases since December, when health care workers at thousands of nursing homes began getting their shots. Still, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.

As of Friday, long-term care facilities were linked to about 35 percent of the 28,565 deaths of Floridians from COVID-19, according to a report released by the state Department of Health.

About 90% of assisted living facilities in Florida have self-reported having a chance to have their staff and residents vaccinated, leaving 10% still waiting for the opportunity.

Some Florida hospitals are running out of COVID-19 vaccines, as many seniors continue to grow frustrated waiting for their shot.

Kentucky-based company Atria is calling for roughly 10,000 staff members to get the vaccine.

It's an effort to get the vaccine in the hands of seniors who are struggling to get to drive-through sites or making reservations.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting his plan to distribute vaccines to people 65 and older ahead of much of the country. But the rollout has had logistical problems, and there are still nursing homes and health care workers waiting to get the vaccine.

According to reports, the chief executive of a West Palm Beach long-term care facility offered COVID-19 vaccinations to board members and donors.

COVID-19 vaccines are reaching more long-term facilities, but many worry they won't come soon enough to stave off more deaths.