The Florida Department of Health declared a public health emergency in Florida on March 1, after two cases tested “presumptive positive” for coronavirus disease 19, referred to as COVID-19.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees outlined the state’s response to the threat of the virus during a news conference held on March 2, at the Florida Department of Health’s Tampa Branch Laboratory.
They shared some details of the two cases that have since been confirmed as positive.
One case involves a man in his 60s in Manatee County who was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment for pneumonia. He is stable and remains hospitalized.
“At the present time, it is not known how the individual was exposed to COVID-19,” Rivkees said.
“The second patient is a woman in her 20s from Hillsborough County who recently returned from Northern Italy,” Rivkees said, during the news conference, which was streamed live by ABC Action News.
The second individual is in stable condition and remains in isolation and medical care at home, he said.
“In total,” the governor said, “23 people have been tested in the state of Florida. The state is currently monitoring 184, and a total of 795 have been monitored.”
Despite that, DeSantis said, “the overall immediate threat to the public remains low.”
However, he added, “with that said, we do anticipate that more will test positive.”
The governor said he directed the state Department of Health to declare a public health emergency “to better equip our state with the resources needed to handle this threat.”
The governor added: “The public health emergency ensures that health care providers, hospitals and labs immediately report all suspected cases to the department of health.
“It also advises individuals of the proper protective measures that need to be taken regarding the possible exposure to COVID-19,” he said.
DeSantis said that nursing homes and assisted living facilities need to take adequate precautions.
The virus, he said, “tends to have a most deleterious effect on people who either have underlying health conditions, or that are elderly.”
The state surgeon general said “COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, transmitted like the flu.
“Symptoms may occur as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
“Most individuals with COVID-19 will have a mild case. Eighty percent of individuals are able to treat it at home. Up to 15% may have a more severe case, requiring hospitalization.
“Up to 5% may be especially severe,” Rivkees said.
“There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. At the present time, we do not have any medications to treat COVID-19. Thus, care is supportive,” he said.
Those planning overseas trips are asked to consult the CDC website for areas of concern. Currently, those areas of travel concern are China, northern Italy, South Korea and Iran.
“If you are returning from those areas, we are asking you to self-isolate for 14 days after returning,” Rivkees said.
“If you are self-isolating and become ill, please contact the county health department or your health care provider before seeking medical attention,” Rivkees said.
“As the governor mentioned, the risk to the general population is currently low,” Rivkees said, noting that people can go about their daily business.
But, the state surgeon general advised individuals to take precautions to help protect themselves from becoming ill.
For more information and to stay current on the latest information regarding COVID-19, check the state department of health’s website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. Those websites are: FloridaHealth.gov/covid-19 and CDC.gov.
Protect yourself from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick
- Stay home if you are ill
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and face with unwashed hands
- Cover your cough or sneezes with tissue, then discard the tissue
- Wash your hands frequently, with soap and water
Source: Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees
Published March 4, 2020
