Sumter County, Florida and Surrounding Areas COVID-19 Vaccination Site
Sumter County is now accepting registration for COVID-19 Vaccinations.
To register, go to: https://sumterfl.saferestart.net
Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Lowenkron, has released another important update regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. Please read the full report here: Covid-19 Vaccine Update
There is a large scale vaccination effort starting in The Villages Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
To register, go to: https://sumterfl.saferestart.net
Check out this article in The Villages Daily Sun on open enrollment for Medicare Advantage:
Read the Daily Sun Article
At this time, COVID-19 vaccinations are not available through The Villages Health. The initial doses mentioned in the Department of Health memo have been redirected to the UF Health.
There is no committed timeframe for The Villages Health to have vaccines and as they become available to us, information on when and how we will administer them will be posted on this website, so please check back periodically. For additional COVID-19 information, please also visit the CDC’s COVID-19 information page.
Many people have concerns and questions regarding when the COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to our patients and the community. With the rapidity of vaccine development and only recently being approved by the FDA, vaccine production and distribution will take time to catch up to the global demand. As the vaccine becomes available, the plan is to distribute it as rapidly as possible. We will continue to keep the community updated as information becomes available to us. We kindly request your patience during this time. Thank you.
Read the full update here: Coronavirus Advisory Update
Carla VandeWeerd, Director of Research for The Villages Health, is heading up a new research program here in The Villages®. Read about it in The Daily Sun here:
The Villages Daily Sun featured an article about The Villages Health’s telemedicine benefits.
We’ve got something fresh for you… The Villages Grown is coming to The Villages Health!
Come visit their mobile market at our care centers to browse their beautiful selection of locally grown, farm fresh fruit & veggies, local eggs, spreads, beverages and more! See the schedule below to find a location near you!
Monday, January 11th:
The Center for Advanced Healthcare: 9:00-11:00am
Pinellas Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, January 18th:
Santa Barbara Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, January 25th:
Brownwood Care Center 9:00-11:00am
Colony Care Center 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, February 1st:
Creekside Care Center: 9:00-11:00am
Mulberry Grove Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, February 8th:
The Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood: 9:00-11:00am
Pinellas Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, February 22nd:
Santa Barbara Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, March 1st:
Brownwood Care Center 9:00-11:00am
Colony Care Center 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, March 8th:
Creekside Care Center: 9:00-11:00am
Mulberry Grove Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, March 15th:
The Center for Advanced Healthcare: 9:00-11:00am
Pinellas Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, March 22nd:
Santa Barbara Care Center: 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, March 29th:
Brownwood Care Center 9:00-11:00am
Colony Care Center 12:00-2:00pm
Is your Medicare plan still the best choice for you? Read the article in The Villages Daily Sun and know your Medicare options before choosing a plan during annual enrollment.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory – August 18, 2020
Cases of COVID-19 are occurring in Florida and locally at a decreased rate compared to a month ago. As of August 17, there are 1,515 cases in Sumter County, with 250 occurring in the last week. In Lake County, there are 5,616 cases with 475 occurring in the last week. In Marion County, there are 7,305 cases with 770 occurring in the last week. As of this morning there are 14 patients in the UF The Villages Hospital and 34 in UF Leesburg Hospital. 10 of these patients are in intensive care with 6 on ventilators. Hospitalization peaked on July 21 with a total of 81 patients at the two hospitals trending down to less than 50 per day for the last 5 days. Mortality from COVID-19 lags hospitalization and has been increasing. At the UF hospitals 14 people died between March 1 and July 7. Between July 8 and July 28 another 18 people died and from July 29 through August 17 another 43 people died.
At The Villages Health we care for almost 60,000 patients. As of August 17, we know of 119 cases with 26 hospitalizations and 8 deaths. There are likely cases among our patients we have not heard about. We likely heard about all our patients who were hospitalized or died. Our employees are also not immune. As of August 17 we have tested 37 team members with 12 being positive, 16 negative and 9 pending results. 11 of the 12 team members are back at work having completed the necessary quarantine period. Most health care workers, whether at hospitals, nursing homes or our care centers have their exposures outside of work.
The upward trend decelerated and over the last three weeks the number of known cases among 15- to 35-year-olds slowed while those of adults aged 45-75 have been increasing. Younger individuals are typically more able to tolerate and survive the infection, older individuals are at higher risk for more serious outcomes related to this infection. The Villages Charter School is opening this week and taking steps to reduce transmission between students, teachers and staff.
Communities where large populations of seniors live are advised to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The Villages is the nation’s largest 55 and older active living community.
Seniors who have serious medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, or conditions reflective of weakened immunity are at even higher risk. These individuals can make decisions that reduce their risk of getting COVID-19. They should consider postponing participation in large scale social events, particularly those events held indoors with multiple close contacts. Everyone can help reduce the risk of community spread until the magnitude and severity of this infection is more widely known and understood.
For mild or moderate disease, there is no current treatment that is proven to be effective; therefore, rest, fluids, quarantine and time are often the recommended treatment. Many different treatments are being tested and have their advocates and detractors. The science is not there yet for recommendation. There is active ongoing work to develop a vaccine. Questions about development of herd immunity are still seeking answers. For those with severe disease, in intensive care and on ventilators, there are two medications that help with symptoms and probably survival: dexamethasone and remdesivir. There is ongoing study of interleukin 6 inhibitors nationally. None of these are intended for prevention and should not be taken outside a hospital setting.
Everyone can help by taking the following actions:
The Villages Health current actions to create a safer environment:
Two resources for more information:
The Florida Department of Health has established a call center for general questions at 866-779-6121, which is manned from 8 AM – 5 PM. Specific questions related to guidance may be directed to the Sumter County Health Department at 352-569-3102.
The Villages Health is working hard to keep you safe, while also ensuring we take care of your health care needs. As we all work together, we will continue our path to becoming America’s Healthiest Hometown®.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Lowenkron, MD
Chief Medical Officer
The Villages Health
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