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Department of Health

COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, caution urged

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Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, both globally and locally.

The World Health Organization, as of the morning of Nov. 16, reported 53.8 million positive cases and 1.3 million deaths.

Cases were approaching the 11 million-mark in the United States, with about 245,000 deaths, according to a report the same day by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Florida, the Department of Health reported a total of 885,201 cases, including 872,810 residents. The state has charted 13,518 resident deaths and 216 non-residents.

Hillsborough County totals were 52,572 positive cases of residents and 335 non-residents. The county reported 857 deaths.

Pasco County’s figures stood at 12,425 positive cases among residents, and 122 in non-residents. It also has recorded 259 deaths.

Hillsborough County Schools reported 791 students had tested positive for the virus, while the figure stood at 559 for employees — bringing the district’s total to 1,350.

In Pasco County Schools, as of Nov. 16, there had been 391 student cases and 144 staff cases. A total of 7,053 students were impacted by those testing positive, as were 633 staff members.

The district reports the number of positive cases, and the numbers of staff and students who are required to quarantine because of exposure.

The Pasco County School Board and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County were set to discuss the school district’s COVID-19 response during a board workshop set for the afternoon of Nov. 17. The workshop will occur after The Laker/Lutz News press deadline.

The school board also is scheduled to consider a change to district policy to continue the current mask mandate until the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

The proposed rule “is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff,” according to background materials contained in the school board’s agenda.

The rule “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 mandate also “requires that proper social distancing must always be observed to the maximum extent possible.”

The rule also requires that “whenever feasible and possible, students, staff, and visitors must remain six (6) feet away from persons that are not members of their household.”

Published November 18, 2020

Government responds to COVID-19

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A $2 trillion relief package — the largest in U.S. history — has been passed in an attempt to stabilize the economy, in the wake of an economic and medical crisis posed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

The package includes help for individuals, unemployment benefits, loans for small businesses, help for large industries and other types of assistance.

The stimulus includes a $1,200 check per person, or $2,400 married jointly, with an additional $500 per child, for those earning $75,000 or less, according to reporting by national news outlets.

There’s also $350 billion of loans for small businesses.

The package also includes increased unemployment payments, and unemployment benefits extended to self-employed workers and contractors, the reports say.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis issued a statement after the passage of the CARES Act.

In part, he noted the relief act will “help keep us safe, protect jobs and prevent financial devastation for millions of Americans.

“We must get people working again, as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said, adding the stimulus checks will provide immediate relief to individual taxpayers who need it most.

He also noted “the expanded unemployment benefits will provide support for those who have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced through no fault of their own.”

And, “the bill provides loan programs to help every type and size of business, including: sole proprietors, independent contractors, and nonprofits. If small business owners continue to pay their rent and employees, they can have their loans forgiven.”

Also, on March 29, President Donald Trump called for extended national guidance on social distancing guidelines be extended through April 30. In part, the guidelines call for individuals to stay at least 6 feet apart from others and that gatherings be limited to 10 or fewer people.

Locally, Hillsborough County has adopted a Safer-At-Home Order, to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The order applies to all residents within Hillsborough County, including the cities of Plant City, Tampa and Temple Terrace, and became effective at 10 p.m., on March 27.

The order means that all residents are directed to stay at home as much as possible, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, there are many exceptions to the Safer-at-Home Order, according to Hillsborough County’s website. Those include:

  • People seeking medical treatment, transporting people seeking medical treatment, or caregivers assisting another person with medical or caregiving needs
  • People whose residences are unsafe or have become unsafe, such as for victims of domestic violence
  • People who are preparing or delivering food and drinks
  • People commuting to and from their jobs
  • People walking pets, as long as social distancing guidelines are observed
  • Parent or guardians transporting children because of a custody-sharing agreement or order

The order also defines essential businesses/services, including:

  • Establishments including grocery stores, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores and liquor stores
  • Gas stations, auto and recreational vehicle supply and repair shops, and auto dealerships
  • Farming, livestock, and fishing
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, and other necessities
  • Hardware, gardening, and building material stores
  • Firearms and ammunition supply stores
  • Media services and journalists

In Pasco County, meanwhile, a virtual meeting of the region’s leaders was set for March 31, with invitations issued to the chairs of the Hillsborough and Pinellas county commissions and mayors of the region’s three largest cities.

The county also has posted a video on its website, featuring County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, County Administrator Dan Biles and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Moore reminded viewers that “a healthy community begins with you. Personal responsibility and accountability translate into real results.”

He encouraged viewers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Health’s guidance on social distancing.

“Don’t gather in groups of 10 or more, actually, if you don’t have to, don’t gather in groups at all.

“Wash your hands often and, please, if you’re sick, stay home,” Moore said.

Biles said the county is encouraging its employees to work from home, if they can.

“We’re making decisions based on real data, that applies to our community.

“Pasco doesn’t have the high density areas or multi-generational concerns that are driving stay-at-home orders in other communities.

“Our goal is to continue to safely provide essential services and to keep our economy moving,” Biles said.

Nocco reminded viewers that “we’re all in this together” and urged them to use common sense.

“Common sense is stay away from others, keep your social distance. Common sense is that you’re sick, stay inside.”

“We’re all in this together and together we will get through this crisis,” he said.

In terms of government services, Pasco County has closed these buildings until further notice: The Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City; Guardian Ad Litem Office West and Guardian Ad Litem Office East; Elderly Nutrition East, 13853 15th St., Dade City; Elderly Nutrition Central, 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes; and, Elderly Nutrition West, 8600 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey.

Pasco County also has closed its libraries and its parks recreation complexes, and community and education centers.

All Pasco County beaches are closed. Parks and natural preserve areas also were closed, effective 8 p.m., on March 30.

Parks-sponsored large events and mass gatherings are canceled until further notice, and these facilities in and near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are closed: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex; Heritage Park Community Center; Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center; James Irvin Community Center; and, Odessa Community Center.

Pasco County Public Transit is providing free ridership until further notice, and limiting the number of riders on a bus to 10 to 15 riders at a time.

The county also will be increasing the number of buses on it busiest routes and temporarily suspending services on its least-used routes.

All Pasco County Senior Centers are closed, and all senior programs, activities, classes and meetings are canceled until further notice. For more information, call (727) 834-3340 with any questions.

Numerous public meetings have been canceled until further notice, including meetings of the Pasco County Commission and the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley was out of the country and returned home to do a 14-day self-quarantine.

He said the county is finding ways for people to work without being in groups, and he noted he’s been on conference calls with county staff.

“By doing what we are doing, this will probably all come to an end, sooner,” Oakley said.

“You take it one day at a time.

“You have to adapt. These are uncharted waters,” Oakley said.

Published April 1, 2020

Sharing strategies to prevent substance abuse

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While there are no easy ways to stop substance abuse, there are steps that can be taken to reduce it.

Those strategies will be the focus of discussion during the fifth annual Substance Abuse Prevention Conference planned for April 29 at Saddlebrook Resort.

The event is being presented by BayCare Behavioral Health and Pasco ASAP. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.

Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Heroin, will address the need for local heroes to help reduce substance abuse. (Photos courtesy of PascoAsap.com)
Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Heroin, will address the need for local heroes to help reduce substance abuse.
(Photos courtesy of PascoAsap.com)

“It’s a community conference, so it’s really our opportunity to get new people to take a stake in the coalition and the work of the coalition,” said Monica Rousseau, Pasco County ASAP Coordinator and conference co-chair.

The conference theme is “Strengthening Our Community: Creating Healthy Solutions.”

Throughout the day, speakers and presenters will share their expertise, solutions and tools. There also will be more than 20 vendors representing behavioral health providers and businesses. There will be panel discussions and breakout sessions, as well as keynote speakers.

“From my perspective, the main goal is to get people pumped about tackling substance abuse disorders and substance misuse in Pasco County, and getting people to realize that everybody has a stake in this, and everybody can do something,” Rousseau said.

Substance abuse is a problem that has wide-ranging impacts and can’t simply be left to “others” to resolve, she said.

“These are not just issues that need to be solved by politicians. They’re not just issues that need to be solved by community leaders. Regular, everyday, community members — parents, teachers, people without kids. Everybody has a role,” Rousseau said.

“It’s not just people that are abusing or misusing drugs that are affected. Everybody is affected,” she added.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, a former Florida lawmaker who spearheaded the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, will open the conference.

BayCare Health System’s CEO Stephen R. Mason will talk about wellness and health care integration at the conference.
BayCare Health System’s CEO Stephen R. Mason will talk about wellness and health care integration at the conference.

Other speakers include BayCare Healthcare System’s CEO Stephen R. Mason, who will talk about wellness and health care integration and Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Heroin.

“The real takeaway from this conference is that people will learn strategies,” Rousseau said.

“You will come and be inspired to take home solutions to apply to where you live, work and play,” she added.

One panel will feature Kurt Browning, superintendent, Pasco County Schools; Doug Leonardo, executive director, BayCare Behavioral Health; Kelly Mothershead, owner, A Focus on Fitness Transformation Studio and Salon; Michael J. Napier, administrator, Florida Department of Health Pasco County; Chris Nocco, Pasco County Sheriff, and Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Commissioner. Panelists will address the community’s response to substance abuse in Pasco County.

“Each of them are tackling substance abuse, in one way or another,” Rousseau said.

Young people will be moderating the Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s panel, and will be raising questions on a number of issues, Rousseau said.

The conference also will address an effort that’s underway to respond to substance abuse differently than in the past, she said.

Previously, she said, “substance abuse has been treated as a separate entity. We’re really trying to move toward integrating it into general health and wellness conversations.

“By treating it as something separate, we’re only facilitating that stigma,” she said.

Rousseau said the community also needs to change its mindset about the issue.

“When I moved here, people asked me: ‘Why would you move here? This is the pill capital of the world, and it’s never going to change.’ And, I would look at them and go, ‘No, I’m here to change that.’’’

People need to realize: “You’re making it worse by saying that,” Rousseau said.

She hopes the conference will help inspire more people to get involved in her coalition, which is made up of volunteers.

“We know anecdotally that teachers really need help. They don’t know how to de-escalate the situation. They don’t know what to do with students who are presenting with behavioral problems. And, it’s burning them out.

“We need to teach them (teachers) strategies. We need to teach parents strategies.

“In order to do that and have a big impact, we need community members who are interested enough and passionate enough to learn this information, and share it,” Rousseau said.

Fifth annual Substance Abuse Conference
Speakers will talk about strategies to reduce substance abuse
When: April 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel
Cost: $15 until April 20; $25 after that. Lunch is included.
To learn more about the conference and to register, visit PascoAsap.com.

Published April 20, 2016

Scott wants closer look of Ebola threat

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Although one nurse already under quarantine feels the measures are too restrictive in other parts of the country, Gov. Rick Scott has issued an executive order that could go as far as putting people under quarantine he feels is at high risk for Ebola.

At a minimum, however, Scott is ordering twice-daily health monitoring for people returning from certain parts of the world where the virus is in an outbreak, continuing over the 21-day incubation period of Ebola. That includes areas like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined to be high-risk.

“We have asked the CDC to identify the risk levels of all returning individuals from these areas, but they have not provided that information,” Scott said in a statement. “Therefore, we are moving quickly to require the four individuals who have returned to Florida already — and anyone in the future who will return to Florida from an Ebola area — to take pear in twice-daily 21-day health evaluations with DOH personnel.”

The Department of Health, according to the governor’s office, started to look for people returning to Florida from those areas after a doctor returned to New York and later tested positive for Ebola. While the executive order stops short of automatically ordering a quarantine of those returning from those areas, Scott said he’s giving the health department the authority to take that action for anyone they believe is “at high-risk of testing positive for Ebola due to the type of contact they had with the disease.”

Just four people have been diagnosed inside the United States with Ebola, two of them health workers in Texas who treated the first diagnosed case. Although there is a virus outbreak in parts of Africa, the ability to spread Ebola is still difficult, because it requires an infected person to show signs of the illness, like fever, and it requires direct contact with bodily fluids.