Task force being formed to connect families with loved ones in long-term care facilities during pandemic

A task force is being organized to help connect families with loved ones who are in long-term care facilities during the pandemic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday talked about long-term care facilities, and how the state is working to allow family members to see their loved ones again soon.

Read: Dementia patient dies following fall at assisted living facility in The Villages, nurse accused of denying her medical care

While there are no specific changes coming to his protection plan, DeSantis said the task force has been formed to come up with things that can be done to help offset the toll it’s taking on families that are separated.

DeSantis previously banned visitors and had staff tested regularly.

Read: COVID-19 outbreak reported in Ocoee assisted living facility

However, there is talk of letting visitors back in, if they have the antibodies or if they could get rapid tests done just before they walked in.

DeSantis locked down more than 150,000 residents of nursing homes immediately after the coronavirus broke out.

Read: 2 more COVID-19 outbreaks reported in Orange County nursing homes

The state has provided tablets so there is at least some communication for residents, but it’s not enough.

On the task force is Mary Daniel, who made headlines after she took a job at the nursing home to be near her husband when the Jacksonville facility where he lived was under lockdown.