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‘Health care system is really hurting,' but Florida isn't under a COVID-19 state of emergency

‘Health care system is really hurting,’ but Florida isn’t under a COVID-19 state of emergency

Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to reinstate Florida’s emergency declaration, even as the number of people needing to be hospitalized for the virus exceeded previous peaks, and he’s also curtailed the ability of local leaders to craft their own responses. The widespread availability of vaccines and new antibody treatments mean that an emergency declaration isn’t needed, DeSantis has said. He’s dismissed the latest spike as a “seasonal” fluctuation and called hospital capacity concerns “media hysteria.” Reinstating the state’s emergency declaration would help local officials blunt the most recent spike of COVID-19 cases, said Alan Harris, Seminole County’s emergency manager. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]



See also:
» COVID, delta variant & burnout fueling crisis. 68% of Florida hospitals expect to hit critical staff shortage  
» “We are being pushed to the limit”- Central Florida hospitals under pressure as COVID-19 surge continues
» Florida hospital ‘stacking patients in hallways,’ report says

Florida Trend Exclusive

HoloLens glasses allow pediatric heart surgeons to see 3-D images of the heart

Pediatric heart surgeons at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami are using immersive technology to help with pre-operative planning and patient education. The technology, provided by German company ApoQlar, turns data from MRI and CT scans into 3-D holographic images of a patient’s heart. The medical professionals wear Microsoft HoloLens glasses, which superimpose the virtual images in the space in front of their eyes, allowing them to look at the organ from different perspectives. [Source: Florida Trend]

In lawsuit, families claim Florida Medicaid is improperly denying their kids' care

W.B., a 1-year-old boy with a rare genetic disorder called CHARGE syndrome, has spent much of his young life in Jacksonville-area hospitals. His doctors said that without treatment at a specialty clinic run by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, he would likely suffer developmental delays and other medical problems, but the state of Florida denied that treatment. His is one of two families from Jacksonville and St. Augustine who are suing the state of Florida, arguing that the state-run Medicaid program is illegally denying specialized care for sick and disabled children. [Source: WJCT]

Families fight to maintain care for loved ones with developmental disabilities

Despite a recent increase in funding, many people with developmental disabilities, who already receive money from the state, are fighting for benefits. Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature made a historic $95 million investment in what's known as the "iBudget" Florida Medicaid waiver, a program that lets individuals receive care in their own homes and community, rather than an institution. [Source: WFTS]

AARP: Florida nursing homes lead nation in worker COVID infections

A report released Thursday by AARP shows that Florida had the nation’s highest percentage of nursing homes reporting new COVID-19 infections among staff members during a four-week period in June and July. The Florida facilities also had the second-lowest worker vaccination rate in the nation. In addition, the AARP report showed that Florida lagged in vaccinating nursing home residents, with 73 percent of residents considered fully vaccinated. Nationally, 81.7 percent of nursing home residents were fully vaccinated. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Moderna selects USF for study on COVID vaccine in young children
The University of South Florida has been selected as a site for a clinical trial testing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 10 years. Researchers at USF Health's Morsani College of Medicine are seeking volunteers in the greater Tampa Bay region to participate in the study to evaluate safety and immune responses.

› Walgreens, VillageMD health care venture expands to Florida
Walgreens Boots Alliance and VillageMd continue to expand their partnership to new markets. The two companies will open 10 full-service primary care clinics at Walgreens stores in Orlando this year. The openings are part of a strategic partnership that is on track to open at least 600 locations in more than 30 U.S. markets during the next four years.

› Florida company got free labor by shorting healthcare workers $93,000 in pay, feds say
The Pensacola-based operator of two 24-hour care facilities owed employees $93,932 in back pay, the U.S. Department of Labor announced after an investigation. That money went to seven people employed by the Chris Lewis Agency, $13,418.85 per worker.

› McCune Family Foundation awards $75,000 to The Florida Center
The Florida Center for Early Childhood was recently awarded $75,000 by The McCune Family Foundation to support therapeutic services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities. The foundation’s continued support ensures economically vulnerable children receive life-changing, early intervention services such as occupational, speech-language, and mental health therapies.