Thread by @DrDenaGrayson

‼️The Villages is the US’ largest retirement community: 80% are >65 yo.

“If (#coronavirus) catches in there, it would be a wildfire.”

#COVID19 cases are now surging, yet large gatherings continued until @GovRonDeSantis locked down #Florida Wednesday. 🤬

tampabay.com/special-report…

A week and a half ago, dancing was still encouraged. #COVID19 had ended the tradition of live bands at the town’s 3 squares, but the radio still played.

People line-danced several feet from one another; more showed up to watch, with ice cream cones, coolers and lawn chairs.😳

Experts say that 4,000-12.000 people in the Villages may need hospital beds.

But the Villages Hospital only has 152 staffed beds, 32 of which were available. UF Health Leesburg Hospital, another nearby hospital Villagers use, has 205 beds, with 47 available.😳

#coronavirus

As the Villages emerges as a #coronavirus hot-zone, its hospital can’t be relied upon, even under normal circumstances.

The Villages Hospital is only one of 228 in the entire country that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has given a 1-star quality rating.😱

Over the past 2 weeks, #COVID19 cases have gone from 7 to 47.

Because of testing delays and the incubation period, these numbers lag behind the #coronavirus’ spread by a week or more. Even a few positives means a community is extremely likely to be experiencing an outbreak.😳

The Villages is a community packed with seniors at high-risk for serious #COVID19 illness and death, has very limited healthcare resources under normal circumstances, and the #coronavirus has been spreading there for WEEKS.

As I’ve warned, #Florida is a #coronavirus hot zone.🔥