ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Two more deaths have been reported at Bon Secours Maria Manor, a nursing home in St. Petersburg.

According to reports from the District 6 Medical Examiner's Office, the total number of residents at the home who have died from COVID-19 is now four.

We first reported an outbreak at the facility on June 10.  Since then, the number of positive COVID-19 cases at the nursing home have jumped significantly, with now nearly all of the facility's memory care residents infected with the virus. 

State numbers show while 18 of those residents have been transferred out, 37 are still being cared for at the nursing home. 

Spokesperson Jennifer Robinson confirmed prior to the outbreak earlier this month there were a total of 66 residents in the memory care wing.​

When we inquired why all positive testing residents were not transferred out, Robinson provided the following statement:

“With memory care units, the guidance stipulates it is best to have residents remain in the rooms they are used to so as to avoid them trying to walk back to the room they remember from a new location.

We are having every resident isolate in his/her room. We also have several long-term employees who are familiar with the residents and their previous behaviors (likes, dislikes, etc.), which allows them to utilize individualized activities to keep them engaged."

According to state data, 39 staff members at Bon Secours Maria Manor have also tested positive for COVID-19.  So far, that total is the highest for a facility in the Bay area.

“Associates who tested positive are self-isolating at home at this time,” Robinson said.  “However, we have maintained a sufficient staff-to-patient ratio.”