The State of Florida Issues COVID-19 Updates
ALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The State of Florida is responding to COVID-19. In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Florida Department of Health will issue this update every day, seven days per week.Governor Ron DeSantis is in constant communication with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz and State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees as the State of Florida continues to monitor and respond to the threat of COVID-19.
Governor Ron DeSantis is taking further steps to protect individuals living in long term care facilities from COVID-19 by directing the Florida National Guard to create strike teams to significantly increase testing in these facilities across the state.
The Governor will initially deploy the strike teams to counties that have been hardest hit by COVID-19. Ten teams of four will take samples from all willing staff members and residents in each facility.
The Department of Health has taken the following actions over the last month:
Screening and suspending visitation in long-term care facilities.
Conducting long-term care facility assessments with 120 ambulance assessment teams tasked with deploying preemptive measures to prevent the introduction of COVID-19.
Deploying rapid emergency support teams to facilities that have had residents test positive for COVID-19 to provide support and ensure the health of all individuals (residents and staff), and
Conducting testing and sentinel surveillance.
Recent actions the State has taken to respond to COVID-19:
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is leading the coordination of DOH and the Florida Highway Patrol to implement Executive Order 20-86. To date, more than 5,500 traveler forms have been collected at the I-10 and I-95 checkpoints.
FDOT continues to coordinate with public use airports, DOH and law enforcement to implement Executive Order 20-80. To date, more than 13,500 traveler forms have been collected at public use airports across the state.
The Florida National Guard (FLNG) continues to support the state’s COVID-19 response through operational support of Community Based Testing Sites (CBTS), augmentation to airport screening measures, statewide logistics support, coordination, planning and operational mission sets. To date, the FLNG has assisted in the testing of over 38,510 individuals for the COVID-19 virus.
Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran announced that 32,614 laptop computers are being distributed to 34 mostly small, rural school districts throughout Florida and the Florida A&M University Developmental Research School.
Additional actions the State has taken to respond to COVID-19:
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
At the direction of Governor DeSantis, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees declared a Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 in Florida.
Governor DeSantis announced that the State ordered an additional 2,500 test kits to supplement the adequate resources already available to test for COVID-19. These additional test kits will enable the Department of Health, working with Florida health care providers, to test up to an additional 625,000 individuals. The Governor also suspended non-essential in state and all out-of-state travel for state employees for 30 days.
Established a public call center for questions regarding COVID-19. The call center launched Monday, March 2, and is open 24/7.
Established mechanisms for monitoring and coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding epidemiological activities.
Distributed CDC Interim Guidance for public health personnel evaluating Persons Under Investigation (PUI) and asymptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases at their home or non-home residential settings to CHDs.
Approved and disseminated an updated Clinician Screening Tool for identifying COVID-19 PUIs.
Implemented testing at all three State Public Health Laboratories.
Distributed updated laboratory guidance regarding implementation of testing at State Public Health Laboratories.
Implemented private lab testing.
Developed and disseminated pandemic planning guidance.
Advised CHDs and HCCs to retain expired personal protective equipment until furth
