The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Premier adds dental clinic space

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Premier Community Health Care Group Inc., will share clinic space with the Florida Department of Health in New Port Richey, and will provide dental services to insured and uninsured children throughout Pasco County.

The Pasco County Commission approved a lease agreement between the county and the health care agency at its Nov. 17 meeting.

In lieu of rent, commissioners will require an annual report each Oct. 1 detailing the number of children served. Premier Community Health Care also will pay $421 a month as its share of utilities.

The lease expires on Dec. 31, 2021. However, there are three one-year options to extend the lease.

The clinic is located in Building A, 10841 Little Road, in New Port Richey.

County commissioners agreed to the lease at the request of health department officials “to ensure dental services continue for school-age children throughout the county,” according to agenda documents.

Published December 23, 2020

Health officials recommend against traveling at the holidays

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As the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths continue to rise, health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending against travel during the Christmas holidays.

Travelers and employees at Tampa International Airport are wearing masks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy of Tampa International Airport)

The CDC’s website warns: “Travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19.”

It also advises: “Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”

CDC health experts also note that even if you and your travel companions, including children, feel well and are not exhibiting symptoms, you can still spread COVID-19 to family, friends and community after travel.

“If you have a known exposure to COVID-19, you should delay travel, quarantine yourself from other people, get tested, and monitor your health,” the website advises.

If you do decide to travel, be sure to take these steps during your trip to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, the CDC recommends:

  • Check travel restrictions before you go
  • Get your flu shot before you travel
  • Bring extra supplies, such as masks and hand sanitizer
  • Do not travel if you or your travel companions are sick
  • Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings, including on public transportation and in transportation hubs, such as airports and stations
  • Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart, about two arm-lengths, from anyone who is not from your travel group
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
  • Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Traveling by air?
Here is some information that will prove useful to those traveling through Tampa International Airport:

  • Masks are required for all employees, passengers and visitors at Tampa International Airport. The airport will provide masks to passengers, if necessary, which can be found at the information kiosk, in the main terminal. Masks are available for purchase at the airport’s newsstands. Masks should be worn over your mouth and nose at all times, except for when you are eating or drinking.
  • There are social distancing stickers and markers throughout the airport, to keep passengers and employees at a safe distance from one another. Blocked seating exists at all gates, and there are plexiglass shields where passengers may interact with employees. Try to observe the CDC’s recommended 6 feet of social distance. As a point of reference, 6 feet is about the length of two rolling carryon bags.
  • Wash/sanitize your hands frequently. There are plenty of sinks and soap, and also strategically placed hand sanitizing stations throughout the airport. Hand sanitizer and wipes also can be purchased at newsstands, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to carry up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in carry-on luggage.
  • Go touchless. Use mobile boarding passes, fill a reusable bottle at water bottle-filling stations, and use touchless payment at shops and restaurants. All of the airport’s shops, restaurants and kiosks accept credits cards, and some allow you to swipe your card in front of sensors to pay without ever pressing a button. If you do have to exchange cards or cash with an employee, be sure to wash or sanitize your hands immediately after.
  • Carry on your luggage when possible; that limits the number of hands touching bags. It also allows passengers to bypass baggage claims areas, and streamlines your journey from curbside to the gate, and back.
  • Arrive early. For domestic flights, plan on arriving at least two hours early; for international flights, plan on arriving at least three hours early. That’s especially important, to avoid congestion at TSA checkpoints.

Traveling by car? These tips from AAA’s newsroom may prove useful:

  • Plan ahead: Check with state and local authorities where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place.
  • Follow public health guidance. Also, be sure to pack face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health. Also pack water and extra snacks to reduce the need to stop along your trip.
  • Before any hotel stay, call ahead to ensure your hotel is open and ask what precautions they are taking to protect guests. Ask about social distancing protocols, such as capacity reductions in common spaces, hotel staff requirements to wear masks at all times and if all amenities are available, such as restaurant dining.
  • Car rentals – If renting a car, ask what has been done to clean the vehicle. For extra peace of mind, use disinfecting wipes to wipe down door handles, steering wheels, shifters and control panels.

Published December 16, 2020

Mask mandates continue in Pasco and Hillsborough

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At one point, it appeared that Pasco County might be on the verge of dropping its mask mandate — but that looks unlikely for at least the foreseeable future.

“When I stood before you in September, we were looking at 29 cases a day. We’re up to 207 cases,” Mike Napier, the health officer for the Florida Department of Health — Pasco County told Pasco County commissioners at their Dec. 8 meeting.

(File)

“Back in September, when we were looking at 29 cases per day, that was considered a very low case rate. However, we’ve gone in the wrong direction.

“We’re now in the environment where we have what is considered a high case rate, and no end in sight at the moment,” Napier continued.

“Pasco County has the highest positivity rate in the region.

“At 200 cases a day, we could double our total cases from 16,000 to 32,000 in the next three months, if we don’t do anything else. That’s startling. That means 400 cases a day, instead of 200 cases a day.

“We’re not seeing any indicators that these rates will slow until the vaccine is widely available in the spring.

“The recommendation at this point is to continue the emphasis of the importance of social distancing, hand hygiene and face covering,” the public health officer said.

Napier shared some statistics and trends with the board.

“As of this morning, we’ve had 16,544 positive cases. Something that’s a little bit startling is that 9.5% of those total cases — 1,578 — happened in the last seven days. So, we are seeing a spike in numbers,” the public health officer said.

“Our 14-day rolling average is up from 5% to almost 10%, so we’ve seen a similar doubling in numbers in positivity rate, as well,” Napier continued.

The county also had 305 deaths related to COVID so far, with a slight increase in the number of deaths occurring during the previous three-week period, Napier said.

“Many of us were concerned back in late June, early July about our cases and our percent positive. We’re surpassing that now.

“Our positivity rate is not equal to what we had during the spike, but has been consistently above 10%.

“Most people are being tested, therefore we’re getting more numbers,” he said. “The concern that I have, honestly, is that we’re getting to the maximum of our ability to test people, currently, to diagnose people with COVID.”

He also told board members the increasing number of cases do not appear to be tied to students being back in school.

“We are seeing very limited transmission within the school system,” the Pasco health officer added. “It’s really when the kids go home to their parents, and activities after school.”

Napier said he understands COVID fatigue: “People are just over it at this point.” But he added that vigilance to health protocols remains necessary to reduce potential spread.

Hillsborough County’s state of local emergency enacted in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has been extended until at least Dec. 17. The county also has extended its mask mandate to at least that date.

The Hillsborough County Commission is expected to discuss its local emergency declaration on Dec. 16.

Hillsborough survey on vaccines
Hillsborough County is conducting an opinion survey to find out how residents feel about the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccines and to understand what obstacles the community might have to taking a vaccine.

The anonymous survey, offered in English and Spanish, is designed to help County leadership understand respondents’ attitudes and trepidations about the COVID-19 vaccines, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

The survey is intended to help county leaders better plan and execute distribution logistics and campaigns to maximize the number of residents who choose to get vaccinated.

Visit HCFLGov.net/COVIDVaccine to participate in the survey. To participate by text, text “vaccine” to 73224 or “Vacuna” to 73224 to participate in Spanish.

COVID-19 Cases (As of 8 a.m., Dec. 14)
United States: 15,932,116 cases; 296,818 deaths
Florida: 1,125,931 cases, 19,866 deaths
Pasco County: 17,628 cases; 318 deaths
Hillsborough County: 64,967 cases; 986 deaths

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Florida Department of Health

Published December 16, 2020

Health News 12/16/2020

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Free face coverings
Hillsborough County began on Dec. 10 to provide free, reusable cloth face coverings to residents at two dozen libraries.

In addition, the county is offering operators of small businesses the ability to request a one-time quantity of 100 face coverings, while supplies last.

The mandate that face coverings must be worn in indoor locations of businesses, with certain exceptions, remains in effect.

Residents can pick up two of the reusable face coverings and can request face coverings for immediate family members not present. Distribution hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Face coverings will be distributed from the lobby of these local libraries, while supplies last:

  • Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., in Carrollwood
  • New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., New Tampa

Curbside pickup only will be available at these locations:

  • Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Road in Odessa
  • Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road

For more locations and information, visit tinyurl.com/yy3t9es4.

New radiotherapy system
Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers has acquired and will install a VitalBeam radiotherapy system for treating cancer and other conditions with image-guided radiotherapy, according to a news release.

VitalBeam, from Varian Medical Systems, delivers powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision. It “integrates imaging and treatment technologies within a sophisticated architecture that makes it possible to deliver image-guided treatments very quickly, opening the door to new possibilities for the treatment of lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, as well as other cancers that are treatable with radiotherapy,” the release said.

“With VitalBeam, we can select the optimal treatment for every type of cancer,” said Dr. Clayton Alonso, radiation oncology. “This is a breakthrough that enables us to offer a wider spectrum of advanced radiotherapy treatment options to more patients. It represents a bit step forward in our ability to help people fight cancer.”

Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers soon will be open at 15211 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, east of the Suncoast Parkway on State Road 50.

Gulfside fundraisers
Due to the current pandemic, the third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.

Also, due to the ongoing health and safety challenges, Gulfside postponed The Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show, originally scheduled for Dec. 3.

The fundraiser was to bring people together in honor of Candace Glewen, a longtime board member of Gulfside Hospice until her recent passing, and to support the patients and families served by Gulfside.

Instead of a winter-themed fashion show, the event will now feature the latest 2021 spring looks on May 4, at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.

For information about the event, visit GulfsideFashionShow.org, or contact Leesa Fryer, fundraising and event planning specialist, at 727-845-5707 or .

BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel is taking shape

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A ceremonial groundbreaking was held last week for the new BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, under construction at 4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

The Dec. 2 event was dubbed “ceremonial” —  because crews already are working hard to build the 318,000-square-foot facility that is scheduled to open in early 2023.

While the sounds of construction work served as a backdrop, officials offered remarks about the project. It is being built on land the hospital chain acquired in 2008.

This rendering shows what BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel will look like when it opens in 2023. (Courtesy of BayCare)

Mindful that the “groundbreaking” milestone was being celebrated during the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the gathering was kept small. Guests, were bundled up because of brisk weather. They wore masks, and the seating was spaced out to encourage social distancing.

BayCare Chairman of the Board Eric Obeck, reflected on some of the challenges posed by COVID-19, while addressing the audience.

“While 2020 has been an unprecedented year for health care that has called for tough decisions and creative solutions, we are grateful to celebrate the long-term goals that brought us to this moment,” Obeck said.

“I’m proud to be part of an organization that keeps setting the pace, even as we react to the coronavirus impact on our daily business,” the health care official continued.

From left: Glenn Waters, BayCare executive vice president and chief operating officer; Eric Obeck, BayCare chairman of the board; Mike Moore, Pasco County Commission chair; Hope Kennedy, North Tampa Bay Chamber president and CEO; and, Becky Schulkowski, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel operations director, fling a shovel of dirt.

“Over the past few months, we have canceled and restarted elective procedures and visiting hours. We have offered our team members early retirement and managed to retain our workforce of nearly 30,000 team members without furloughs or layoffs,” he said.

BayCare also has continued its plans to expand its hospitals in St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor and Clearwater, even while building the first hospital to bear the BayCare name, Obeck said.

Glenn Waters, executive vice president and chief operating officer of BayCare, offered some project details.

“Our 86-bed general community hospital will provide medical/surgical care, emergency care, cardiac care, surgical care – including general surgery, orthopedics, urology and gastroenterology – imaging, and outreach lab services.

“Beyond the ‘beds’ and the ‘services’ we provide, we will hire about 220 team members to be the heart and soul of BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel,” he added.

Waters noted that the nearly 30,000 people who work across the BayCare system, make it a great place to work.

The year 2020 was the third consecutive year that BayCare was named one of Fortune’s 100 best companies to work for anywhere in the country, Waters added.

BayCare Chairman of the Board Eric Obeck offers remarks during a Dec. 2 ceremonial groundbreaking for BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.

He also cited recognition for the hospital’s quality of care.

“According to IBM Watson, we are in the top 20% of high-performing health systems across the country,” Waters said.

The event also included a reflection from Father Aloysius Ezenwata, a director of mission with BayCare. He read a selection from scripture, offered some commentary and shared a prayer.

In part, Ezenwata said, “In building this BayCare Hospital in Wesley Chapel, we are continuing to live out our mission, which is to ‘Improve the health of all we serve through community-owned services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.’”

He added: “Today we continue to build on the legacy of the founders of BayCare Health System, to care for our community, to be our sisters’ and our brothers’ keeper.”

At the conclusion of the official remarks, Waters and Obeck joined Becky Schulkowski, BayCare’s operations director, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore and North Tampa Bay Chamber President and CEO Hope Kennedy, to fling a ceremonial shovel of dirt.

BayCare is building its new hospital just down the road from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, a hospital that opened in 2012. It already has undergone an expansion and added new services to meet the high-growth area’s burgeoning health care demands.

Published December 09, 2020

Public asked to do more to help in COVID-19 battle

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Increasing COVID-19 cases in Tampa Bay has prompted the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties to urge members to help fight the spread.

Those officials are asking the public to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during quarantine or isolation.

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others, says a news release issued by the health department.

Quarantine can help prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.
People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 need to quarantine. In addition, if someone has been tested but unaware of exposure, they should remain in quarantine until they receive a negative result, the news release says.

People in quarantine, including those who feel sick and/or are waiting for test results, should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.
The Tampa Bay health departments shared the CDC’s guidance.

Close contact means:

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
    • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
    • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
    • You shared eating or drinking utensils
    • They sneezed, coughed or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
    During quarantine:
  • Stay home for at least 14 days (check current guidance) after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
    • Watch for fever (100.4F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
    • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
    Isolation is used to separate people who are infected with COVID-19 from those who are not.

People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. 
In the home, if you are sick or infected:

• Monitor symptoms.
• Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
• Don’t share personal household items, such as cups, towels and utensils.
• Wear a mask when around other people, if possible.

If you live with someone with COVID-19:

• Try to stay at least 6 feet away from the sick person.
• If you have to share space, make sure the room has good air flow.
• Open the window to increase air circulation.
• Improve ventilation to help remove respiratory droplets from the air.
• Avoid having unnecessary visitors.
If you are caring for someone with COVID-19 at home or in a non-health care setting:
• The person who is sick should eat (or be fed) in their room, if possible.
• Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: handle any dishes, cups/glasses or silverware used by the person who is sick with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.
• Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.
• Do not share dishes, cups/glasses, silverware, towels, bedding, or electronics (like a cellphone) with the person who is sick.
• The person who is sick should wear a mask when they are around other people (Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is not able to remove the covering without help.)
• The caregiver should put on a mask and ask the sick person to put on a mask before entering the room.
• Wear gloves when you touch or have contact with the sick person’s blood, stool or body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit and urine. Throw out gloves into a lined trash can and wash your hands right away.
• Practice everyday preventive actions to keep from getting sick: wash your hands often; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and, frequently clean and disinfect surfaces.
• Clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces and items every day: This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks and electronics.

The Florida Department of Health encourages individuals to discuss any questions or concerns with their primary care provider.

For more information to help prevent household spread of COVID-19, go to CDC.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html.

For more information on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, visit CDC.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.

For general information on COVID-19 in Florida, visit FloridaHealth.gov/covid-19, email , or call 866-779-6121.

Published December 09, 2020

Health News 12/09/2020

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World AIDS Day
The global observance of World AIDS Day is Dec. 1. This year the theme was “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.”

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) recognized World AIDS Day with free testing at its New Port Richey office.

In 2019, there were 119,689 people living with HIV in Florida, according to a DOH-Pasco news release. More than half of the 4,584 new diagnoses were for people between the ages of 20 and 39.

Florida is a national leader in HIV testing, and the FDOH has made great strides in prevention, early identification and treatment.

To reach the goal of zero new HIV transmissions and reduced HIV-related deaths, FDOH focuses on these four key strategies:

  • Implementing routine screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, especially among high-risk populations
  • Providing immediate access to treatment for the newly diagnosed, as well as retaining HIV-positive persons in the care system, with the ultimate goal of getting HIV-positive persons to an undetectable viral load
  • Improving and promoting the use of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication and nPEP (non-occupational post exposure prophylaxis) as prevention strategies to reduce the risk of contracting HIV
  • Increasing community outreach and awareness about HIV, high-risk behaviors and the importance of knowing one’s status

For information on services offered by DOH-Pasco, call 727-861-5260, ext. 0901, in New Port Richey, or 352-521-1450, ext. 6118, 6100 or 6119, in Dade City.

Donating to others’ needs
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members Dee Knerr and Debbie Cardona delivered a large supply of clothing, hygiene items, socks, slippers and other items to Amilcat Care Home in Lutz.

The women also secured and donated a walker that was needed by one of the residents.

For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Gulfside fundraisers
Due to the current pandemic, the third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.

Also, due to the ongoing health and safety challenges, Gulfside postponed The Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show, originally scheduled for Dec. 3.

The fundraiser was to bring people together in honor of Candace Glewen, a longtime board member of Gulfside Hospice until her recent passing, and to support the patients and families served by Gulfside.

Instead of a winter-themed fashion show, the event will now feature the latest 2021 spring looks on May 4, at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey.

For information about the event, visit GulfsideFashionShow.org, or contact Leesa Fryer, fundraising and event planning specialist, at 727-845-5707 or .

Elder abuse in Florida
The personal-finance website WalletHub reported its 2020 States with the Best Elder-Abuse Protections, according to a news release.

To determine which states fight the hardest against elder abuse, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 16 key metrics.

The data set ranges from “elder-abuse, gross-neglect and exploitation complaints” to “financial elder-abuse laws.”

Here are the Elder-Abuse Protections in Florida, rating 1 for Best and 25 for Average (*per resident aged 65 and older):

  • Third: Elder-Abuse, Gross-Neglect and Exploitation Complaints*
  • Fourth: Nursing Homes Quality
  • 27th: Total Expenditures on Elder-Abuse Prevention*
  • 30th: Number of Certified Volunteer Ombudsmen*
  • 51st: Total Long-Term Care Ombudsman-Program Funding*
  • 51st: Number of Eldercare Organizations & Services*

For a full report, visit WalletHub.com.

Florida is closing in on 1 million COVID-19 cases

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Experts are predicting that Florida will hit the 1 million mark in positive COVID-19 cases this week, and there are concerns nationwide about the impacts from potential spread that may have occurred during the Thanksgiving holidays.

The Florida Department of Health had recorded more than 992,660 positive cases of COVID-19, including 976,944 positive residents, according to health department figures available on the morning of Nov. 30.

The death toll stood at 18,500 for Florida residents and 236 for non-residents, according to the same report.

Hillsborough County had 57,673 positive cases, involving county residents, and 419 cases involving non-residents. The county has recorded 929 deaths related to COVID-19.

In Pasco County, there were 14,643 positive cases involving residents, and 140 involving non-residents. The death toll stood at 271.

The latest figures for the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts had not yet been updated, since the districts were out for the Thanksgiving break.

The most recent figures from those districts show that there had been 475 student cases and 177 staff cases in Pasco County Schools. The positive cases affected a total of 8,265 students and 719 staff, who had to be quarantined.

In Hillsborough Public Schools, there was a total of 1,585 positive cases, including 640 staff members and 945 students.

Across the country, millions of Americans stuck to their plans to travel over the Thanksgiving holidays, despite pleas from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for them to stay home.

At Tampa International Airport, 40,000 passengers streamed through checkpoints on the Sunday before Thanksgiving — the greatest number since air traffic plunged in late March and early April, due to the pandemic, according to Emily Nipps, the airport’s manager of communications.

“To put it in perspective, we saw around 80,000 passengers on our busy days this time last year. So we’re still barely seeing about half of the traffic we saw this time in 2019. However, we’re way up from the few thousand daily passengers we saw at our low point in April,” Nipps said, via email.

She also noted that “the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving are always our busiest – we ‘think’ we’ll see between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers on those days, though our projections are not as accurate as they’ve been in years past because of the uncertainty of travelers, COVID, cancellations, etc.”

Meanwhile, the state health department, the Florida Hospital Association, the Florida Medical Association and health insurance companies are urging the public to get flu shots. The groups want to help prevent severe illnesses and to keep Florida’s health care system from being overwhelmed by flu and COVID-19 cases.

While Florida’s positive cases approach the 1-million mark, the national figures for positive cases surpassed 13.1 million cases and the national death toll exceeded 265,000 as of the morning of Nov. 30, according to the CDC.

Internationally, the number of positive cases is approaching 62.2 million, with a death toll nearing 1.5 million, also as of the morning of Nov. 30, according to the World Health Organization.

Also, in national interviews, numerous health experts have said there may be a lag time before the extent of the impact is known, regarding the spread of COVID-19 related to Thanksgiving traveling and festivities.

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19
Avoid these high-risk activities:

  • Shopping in crowded stores
  • Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household
  • Using alcohol or drugs that may alter judgment and make it more difficult to practice COVID-19 safety measures.

Follow these safety protocols:

  • Stay 6 feet away from others
  • Wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible
  • Wash hands frequently

Source: Florida Department of Health

Published December 02, 2020

Health News 12/02/2020

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St. Joseph’s has a ‘gold’ heart
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has earned the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Receiving Award for meeting and exceeding specific standards of performance, for quick and appropriate treatment of patients suffering heart attacks.

These St. Joseph’s Hospital-North team members were involved with winning the American Heart Association award. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

The performance metrics consider the entire process — from the 911 call, to EMS transport, to hospital treatment to discharge. This is the third consecutive year that St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has received the award.

STEMI is an acronym for ST elevation myocardial infarction, the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. For these heart attacks, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North received a “Gold” designation for the Mission: Lifeline STEMI award, meaning the hospital has achieved the quality measures for 24 months.

“This award means that St Joseph’s Hospital-North achieves excellence in providing cardiovascular care to the community it serves. It means every local resident and visitor should feel secure in knowing that this hospital will care for them at the highest level of quality and safety. It is a well-deserved recognition of the team-based effort to deliver the very best care. It is a great honor that the administration and staff should be very proud of,” said Dr. Christopher Pastore, an interventional cardiologist affiliated with St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in a St. Joseph’s news release.

“Exceptional patient care is our top priority, and we are proud to achieve this ‘Gold’ designation from the American Heart Association,” said Tom Garthwaite, president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. “Our community can be reassured that it is safe to use the hospital and emergency room and that their care remains in the safe hands of the cardiovascular program at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.”

Joining forces
Florida Blue, the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida Medical Association are joining forces to encourage Floridians to get a flu shot, so all may have a #FluFreeFlorida.

As the number of COVID-19 cases in the state begin to increase, the potential for a devastating collision of COVID-19 and the flu (twindemic) this season is real, according to a joint news release from the medical groups.

The organizations are uniting to use their collective and powerful voices to raise awareness around the state about the importance of getting a flu vaccine this year, encouraging all to ‘spread the word, not the flu,’ by using #FluFreeFlorida on social media.

Floridians should be immunized to prevent severe illness and to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed with both COVID-19 and flu cases.

While influenza seasons vary in intensity, adults in the 65-plus age group bear the greatest burden of severe influenza disease. In Florida, an average of 80% of seasonal pneumonia and influenza deaths occurred in adults age 65 and over, during the last five flu seasons.

The flu vaccine can be given to almost anyone 6-months of age and older.

A flu shot is especially important for high-risk groups, including senior citizens, children, pregnant woman, and people with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other pre-existing conditions.

Most people with health insurance can get a flu shot at no cost when they go to a doctor or pharmacy that is in their network.

There are many local events planned around the state to ensure each eligible Floridian has access to a flu vaccine. There are also numerous resources for those without insurance.

Visit ThePowerToProtect.org or FLShotsUsers.com/search/provider to find additional information.

Care Pavilions in the works
AdventHealth will break ground on the construction of two new Care Pavilions, one in Westchase and one in New Tampa. The new pavilions will be part of the AdventHealth network of care, and will provide additional convenient access to patients by integrating multiple health care services into one location for “one-stop shopping,” according to a release.

The AdventHealth Care Pavilions will provide both traditional and non-traditional health care amenities at each location, based on the size of the facility and the medical needs of the local community.

The use of innovative technology and architectural designs also will be fundamental and unique to each location, to deliver an exceptional patient experience.

The first two pavilion concepts will be in Westchase, at 10987 Sheldon Road in Tampa, and in New Tampa at 8702 Hunters Lake Drive.

Construction on both facilities is expected to be completed in summer 2021.

Gulfside fundraiser
The third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, due to the current pandemic, at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside.

For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.

Hospital expansion
Following the opening of Pasco County’s first Neuro Interventional program and Comprehensive Stroke Center, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point began a 19,000-square-foot renovation and expansion project in late 2019. This project is now complete with larger operating rooms, a new Sterile Processing Department, and an expansive Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where patients recover after their procedure.

“We are delighted with the results of this project which showcases our commitment to meeting the health care needs of Pasco County and surrounding communities,” said Chief Executive Officer Gina Temple, in a hospital news release.

“We are continuing to invest heavily in our surgical programs to ensure our surgeons have the latest tools and technology for optimal patient outcomes,” Temple said.

Bayonet Point also has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of surgical patients and caregivers during the pandemic.

For more information, visit BayonetPointHospital.com.

Mask mandate continues in Pasco schools

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The Pasco County School Board has extended the district’s mask policy through the end of the school year.

The action came during the board’s Nov. 17 meeting, at the recommendation of Superintendent Kurt Browning.

It also followed an afternoon workshop involving Pasco County Schools staff and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County, covering the district’s response to COVID-19.

Pasco County School Board member Megan Harding supports keeping masks in schools for now, but wants the district to move away from that — if conditions improve to the point where that would be safe. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

According to agenda materials, the proposed rule “is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff.”

It “mandates and requires that all employees, contractors, visitors, and students wear a mask or other face covering while on school property and/or engaged in school activities.”

The policy also “requires that proper social distancing must always be observed to the maximum extent possible.” Also, “whenever feasible and possible, students, staff, and visitors must remain six (6) feet away from persons that are not members of their household.”

School board member Megan Harding addressed the issue during the board’s evening session.

“I know that COVID-19 is real,” Harding said. “People in our community have suffered from it. People in my family have suffered from it and people in our school family have suffered from it.

“There no manual that has taught us how to run our school district during a pandemic. Our superintendent and staff have done an amazing, amazing job in making sure our students and teachers are the safest that they can be. Our principals have been tasked with a huge undertaking to keep their students and staff safe. Hours upon hours of work, and for that I am so grateful.

“I truly believe that we have done a great job of keeping our schools open and functioning for our students.

“Nobody likes wearing a mask. They’re uncomfortable, and our students can’t see their teachers or principals’ smiling faces.

“While many students aren’t struggling with keeping them on, I have seen firsthand, the added layer of stress, making sure they are properly being worn, and the reminders that teachers are faced with having to give their students, daily.

“However, it is our job to keep our students safe, and our staff safe, along with ensuring they receive the world-class education they deserve.

“I’m not a doctor or a health official. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is still recommending that masks are worn, local government still has a mandate in place and our local health officials are recommending we still wear them.

“We saw that today, in the workshop — all of the data. We know that we can’t properly social distance our students in the classroom, and the cafeterias and the hallways, due to square footage. This is another layer of protection.

“I want our teachers to feel supported and safe, when they’re coming to work. “And, I want our students to feel safe coming to school,” she said, and she wants parents to know that their children are safe.

“Mr. Browning, we’ve done such an amazing job in including our parents in many of our discussions around COVID-19, and for that I’m thankful.

“We’ve allowed our parents to choose whether it felt safe enough to send their child back to brick-and-mortar, or whether they wanted to do MySchool Online. I truly hope that we continue, with the support of the health department — that we keep our parents involved in those conversations,” she said.

Harding said she knows that COVID fatigue is real, and she would like to see the district move toward allowing: students to collaborate more; live performances with limited audiences; staff breakfasts; and, group staff meetings.

She said she understands that any changes must be done safely.

However, she added: “I really want our children to go to school. I want our children to participate in sports, the arts, field trips and events, but most importantly, I want our children to be safe.”

She asked for assurances that the district could change its policy if conditions improve, and she was assured that it could.

She’s in favor of relaxing the rule, as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“I don’t want our students to go to school forever with a mask on,” Harding said.