Long-term care facilities in Okaloosa, Walton continue to get hit hard by COVID-19

A recent report from the Florida Department of Health shows that COVID-19 continues to affect long-term care facilities in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

A total of 48 long-term care facility residents in the two counties have died since the pandemic began. 

The two facilities that have suffered the most deaths are Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center in Crestview with 10 deaths and the Emerald Coast Center in downtown Fort Walton Beach with eight.

Current infections reported by FDOH as of Nov. 22 show Fort Walton Beach Rehabilitation Center with 21 infected residents, the most in the county. Seven staff members also have the disease.

Shoal Creek has the next highest number of cases in Okaloosa County, with 13 residents and 10 staff members infected, according to the Nov. 22 report.

Statewide, total coronavirus cases are approaching the 1 million mark. There were 953,300 cases reported as of Tuesday, an increase of 8,555 over the previous day.

Santa Rosa County and Walton County both reported two new verified deaths from the virus Tuesday, bringing their total deaths to 99 and 37, respectively. 

There were no new deaths reported for Okaloosa County on Tuesday.

CASES/DEATHS BY THE NUMBERS

Statewide:  953,300 cases, an increase of 8,555 overnight 

Santa Rosa County: 7,088 cases, an increase of 37 overnight

Okaloosa County: 8,456 cases, an increase of 102 overnight

Walton County: 3,562 cases, an increase of 54 overnight

DEATHS 

Statewide: 18,157, an increase of 72

Santa Rosa: 99, an increase of two overnight

Okaloosa: 145, no new deaths overnight

Walton: 37, an increase of two overnight

Long-term care facilities as of Nov. 22, 2020

Twelve long-term care facilities in Okaloosa County are reporting cases of COVID-19. The facilities with the highest reported cases are listed below. The data is not cumulative, but reflects the information available for current residents and staff with cases as of Nov. 22.

• Fort Walton Beach Rehabilitation Center, 21 residents, 4 transferred, 7 staff members
• Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center, 13 residents, 3 transferred, 10 staff members
• Crestview Rehabilitation Center, 12 residents, 1 transferred, 14 staff members
• Fort Walton Beach Developmental Center, 9 residents 
• Safe and Secure Respite Care, 8 residents, 4 staff members

Number of deaths at long-term care facilities

The FDOH updates a list of the deaths associated with long-term care facilities weekly. These are the number of resident deaths at Okaloosa and Walton facilities since the pandemic began.

• Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center: 10
• Emerald Coast Center (Okaloosa): 8
• Destin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Okaloosa): 6
• Superior Residences of Niceville: 6
• Westwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: 6
• The Meridian at Westwood: 4
• Twin Cities Pavilion: 3
• Brookdale Destin (Walton): 2
• Grand Boulevard Health and Rehabilitation Center (Walton):  2
• Brookdale Fort Walton Beach:  1