There has been another outbreak of COVID-19 cases at Opis Highlands Lake Center, according to patients’ families and the Medical Examiner’s Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit, which includes Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties, with at least seven new positive cases in the last week and three more deaths.
According to the report, recently identified was 76-year-old Rosemarie Pascale, who contracted the virus after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
The report shows that on April 18, Pascale was sent to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center from Highlands Lake “due to shortness of breath, wheezing and exposure to COVID-19.” She later tested positive and died on May 14.
“Highlands Lake Center did have new positive COVID-19 cases last week and those residents have all been transferred to area hospitals for specialized care, and their families have been properly notified of the transfers,” said Vi Mateo, Opis vice president of sales and marketing. “We continue to work with the state Department of Health in taking all appropriate steps, including use of PPE and thorough cleaning after each hospital transfer, in order to protect the safety and well-being of our residents and staff, which remains our highest priority.”