Duval County

COVID-19 Vaccine: Some long term care facility residents are still having to quarantine after being fully vaccinated

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One year, two shots, what’s next?

Despite being fully vaccinated, some residents in long-term care facilities are still unable to leave their facilities without having to quarantine when they return.

>> More information on the COVID-19 vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who have been fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.

But Mary Daniel says just leaving the facility requires a 14-day quarantine for her husband.

“It’s a punishment to them. I mean, it is literally solitary confinement and that’s not fair,” explains Daniel.

Daniel and her husband Steve have both been fully vaccinated for almost two weeks now. But she says she still has been unable to take him home.

“I cannot take Steve out of the facility without him facing a 14-day quarantine.”

Her husband has only left his facility one time in the last year, and that was for a root canal.

“His time is numbered and I want it to be as pleasant as it possibly can be, and that means getting outside on a day like today, and getting with friends and family who love him; he needs that.”

Daniel says right now every facility is doing its own thing, making its own rules. Instead, she wants a plan.

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“One year, two shots, what’s next?”

The Agency For Healthcare Administration tells Action News Jax:

“The state continually monitors and analyzes the situation in long-term care facilities across the state. At this time, we remain focused on providing vaccines for staff and residents at these facilities and any future changes to visitation policies will be publicly announced and made through existing emergency rules.”

Daniel just wants to be able to take her husband home.

“They need to be able to get out and get to the people who love them.”