An eleventh resident of a Hollywood nursing home that had to be evacuated after a power outage has died, the medical examiner's office confirmed Friday.
Alice Thomas, 94, is the latest patient of the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills to die after a power outage caused by Hurricane Irma.
The cause of death has yet to be determined. Two other patients died earlier this week.
Friday morning, Justin Senior, secretary of Agency for Health Care Administration, said the state will "aggressively" enforce new rules that require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have generators. Senior explained to nursing home officials about an emergency rule that will require the facilities to have backup power that can last up to four days.
The latest death comes as officials continue their investigation into what took place inside the facility. The nursing home reported it lost power and air conditioning when the storm struck on Sept. 10, calling an emergency hotline the next day.
A criminal investigation continues while the nursing home — which has had its license suspended — has filed a lawsuit to be allowed to reopen, saying it used items like coolers, fans, ice and other methods to keep patients comfortable.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement set up a new hotline for anyone with information about the deaths or the nursing home between the dates of Sept. 9 to Sept. 12. The number is 866-452-3461.
Story courtesy our news partners NBC Miami.
