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Resident at senior-heavy South Pasadena condo complex tests positive for coronavirus

The resident got tested March 18 during a hospital visit for an unrelated health concern. The positive result came back Tuesday.
 
A resident of the 55-plus Sun Island condo complex in South Pasadena tested positive for coronavirus. This file photo shows South Pasadena City Hall.
A resident of the 55-plus Sun Island condo complex in South Pasadena tested positive for coronavirus. This file photo shows South Pasadena City Hall. [ SCOTT KEELER | Tampa Bay Times ]
Published March 27, 2020|Updated March 28, 2020

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SOUTH PASADENA — The same 55-and-older condominium complex that had a coronavirus scare last week got worse news this week: A resident tested positive.

Management of the Sun Island complex at 7500 Sun Island Drive S, also known as Bay Island, issued a notice to residents Wednesday saying a man in the complex’s Ambassador building had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. His test result came back late Tuesday and he reported it to building management Wednesday.

Related: Florida coronavirus deaths now number 46, including second one in Hillsborough County

The man was tested March 18 during a hospital visit for an unrelated health concern. The notice doesn’t specify which hospital, nor does it identify the resident, citing health privacy laws. It says he and his unit’s other occupants are in self-isolation until April 5.

The resident said he hadn’t traveled at all or used any complex amenities over the last month, according to the notice. He also said he hadn’t come in contact with building staff or other residents in the last two weeks.

Building staff has been working to sanitize elevator buttons, handrails, mailboxes and common area doorknobs, the notice says. The building’s maintenance supervisor also said that the air-condition system used to cool the Ambassador building’s hallway constantly circulates fresh air.

Related: South Dakota coronavirus death linked to man who stayed in South Pasadena

Last week, residents were grappling with another coronavirus concern after receiving a notice that a man who had spent three weeks staying in one of the units had died upon returning home to South Dakota. His death was linked to the virus.

The man had stayed in a condo in the Lexington building and left on March 7. His death was announced by South Dakota officials on March 10. The owners of the condo, and a neighbor who had visited the condo, started a self-quarantine on March 10. Days after residents learned of his death, the condo Board of Directors voted to close all recreational facilities and amenities.

This week’s notice doesn’t say if the new positive case has any connection to the South Dakota visitor.

South Pasadena has a sizeable elderly population, according to U.S. Census data, with a median age of 68. Public health officials have said that seniors, and those with underlying health conditions, are more at risk of contracting the virus.

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