After Possible COVID-19 Exposure While Seeking Answers For Local Families, Mucarsel-Powell Announces Negative Test Results

Experience Shines Light On Need For Heightened Oversight Of Nursing Homes And Long-Term Care Facilities

MIAMI, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) announced negative COVID-19 test results after a possible exposure to the virus while she was seeking answers and transparency for local families at a troubled nursing home in the Upper Keys.

“Thankfully I’ve tested negative for COVID-19,” said Mucarsel-Powell. “I am glad that my situation shined a light on the struggles so many families with loved ones at nursing homes are going through. According to the data, one-third to one-half of all coronavirus deaths nationally are nursing home residents or workers, and in Florida, nursing home residents and workers account for 42% of total COVID-related deaths. I’m fighting to require nursing homes to report any instances of COVID-19 to the CDC and families within 72 hours, expand rapid-testing and contact tracing for residents and staff, enforce OSHA protections for workers and provide them with hazard pay. Sending your loved one to or working in a nursing home or a long-term care facility should not be a death sentence.”

On Tuesday, May 19, Mucarsel-Powell heard from family members of residents of a troubled long-term care facility in the Upper Keys, Crystal Health and Rehab Center. It was recently reported that 15 residents and six staff at the long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19. Family members have been exasperated that the facility did not immediately notify them of the cases and waited so long to release testing results, and they still feel left in the dark about the situation.

Following this meeting with family members, Mucarsel-Powell called the facility to no avail, then immediately went to the Crystal Health and Rehab Center. There the congresswoman spoke to the facility director, who told her that certain areas of the facility were a “safe zone” and invited her inside. The congresswoman was later notified that she should not have been invited inside, which went against the guidance for nursing homes with COVID-19 positive cases and validates the families’ sincere concerns for the well-being of their relatives who live at this facility. During this brief meeting, the congresswoman was possibly exposed to COVID-19, despite wearing a mask. More here.

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