- April 16, 2024
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Three of the six long-term care facilities in Volusia County that have reported COVID-19 cases since March 2 are located in Ormond Beach, according to data released by the Florida Department of Health.
As of 10 a.m. on Monday, April 20, the county reported a total of 31 positive COVID-19 have been identified at all six facilities, as well as five deaths. The data is cumulative and represents cases of both staff members and residents.
The facilities in Ormond Beach were identified as Avante at Ormond Beach, located at 170 N. Old Kings Road; Grand Villa of Ormond Beach, located at 535 N. Nova Road and Opis Coquina Center, located at 170 N. Center St, where 16 people — who either were confirmed to have COVID-19, or suspected of being positive — were transported to local hospitals on Saturday, April 18, by Volusia County EMS, with the help of Ormond Beach police officers and firefighters, confirmed County EMS director Jason Brady at the County Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21. Brady said 25 staff members were involved in the operation.
Opis Coquina Center Administrator Donna Smith issued a statement on the facility's Facebook page, saying the decision to transfer was made for the safety of its customers and team members following discussions with DOH and the Agency for Health Care Administration.
"Our hearts go out to these customers and their families as well as everyone affected by this pandemic," Smith said. "It is reassuring to know that these customers are receiving the high level of care these hospitals can provide during this pandemic.”
The statement followed an announcement on Facebook by the facility stating that it was also a result of more customers and team members testing positive for COVID-19. The statement relayed that the Coquina Center is continuing to screen its staff and those who test positive are not being permitted to return to work until they pass "a screening tool pursuant to CDC guidelines."
The center encouraged people who have family and friends at the facility to reach out via phone, video chat, email or social media, and stated staff will contact them if their loved one is suspected or has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
At Grand Villa of Ormond Beach, one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 in the third week of March. John Moschner, president of SenCare Management on behalf of Grand Villa Senior Living, issued an update on the facility's Facebook page on Friday, April 17, saying that the employee is feeling much better.
“We’re also most thankful to announce that no other residents or staff member has contracted the virus at any other grand villa community," Moschner said. "We have been very blessed and are so appreciative of the cooperation we’ve received from our residents, families and staff in following our strict protocols to achieve these successful outcomes thus far.”
He announced that Grand Villa is now working with an independent laboratory to assist with COVID-19 testing, and that all new residents, residents returning from a stay at any health care facility and newly hired staff members will be tested.
No information is known regarding the case, or cases, at Avante at Ormond Beach.
This article was updated at 11:46 a.m. to reflect the specific number of people transferred from the Coquina Center on April 18. A previous version of this story included an estimate of 15 people.
