COVID-19 cases drop in long-term care facilities, safety protocols stay priority Data shows COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities trending downward, but workers there say they will not stop safety protocols. Author: Renata Di Gregorio Updated: 8:14 AM EST March 2, 2021 With more people now eligible for the vaccine, First Coast News wanted to check in with some of the first people who got it. Residents and workers at nursing homes and long-term care facilities have been getting vaccinated since mid-December. Data shows COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities trending downward, but workers at the facilities say they will not stop safety protocols.