Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking money from both federal and state sources, to help battle coronavirus. Meanwhile, the University of West Florida is bracing for the possibility of a local outbreak.
Speaking Friday in Naples, the governor said out of the more than eight billion dollars approved by Congress and signed by President Trump last week, Florida should get a sizable chunk of change -- at least $27 million – with more on the way from Tallahassee.
“I am requesting $25 million from the state legislature to be appropriated, in this current year, for the Department of Health so that we can use immediately upon my signature, to assist with the COVID-19 response.”
House and Senate leaders announced Saturday they have agreed to DeSantis’ request. Florida is also getting $500,000 dollars from the Department of Health and Human Services, to assist with virus-related expenses.
Florida is also getting $500,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services, to assist with virus-related expenses.
“Lab supplies, person protective equipment, additional personnel in case of a surge of cases,” said DeSantis. “And also additional communications to the general public, as well as our health care providers.”
There have not been any cases of community transmission in Florida, according to DeSantis. Five hospital workers having contact with a Manatee County man who was positive for COVID-19 have tested negative. The risk, says the governor, remains low statewide.
“If you look at the data from these infections, you have a profile of who this virus is most likely to affect most negatively,” the governor said. “And that is elderly people, frail, and people with underlying conditions.”
Closer to home, a Santa Rosa County man has died from the virus. He’s described only as in his 70s with underlying health issues. He had been traveling overseas. Two new presumptive cases were announced over the weekend, including a 61-year old female in Okaloosa County who traveled recently outside the U.S. She’s isolated and will remain so until cleared by public health officials.
State health officials also have put out guidelines for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, regarding visitors and other outside traffic.
“We really believe that the elderly and folks that have conditions are the most at-risk members of our community,” said DeSantis. “Now, we obviously expect to see more cases test positive; it’s just the nature of it.”
Meanwhile, the University of West Florida is clamping down on school-sponsored travel to areas hit hardest by the coronavirus. Based on reports from the Centers for Disease Control and the State Department, the ban on university travel -- for business and academic reasons – covers China, Italy, Japan and South Korea until further notice.
“The ban on travel is by the U.S. government; while travel to specific countries are banned or restricted, they will have to make other plans for travel – either not traveling or traveling to an alternate site,” said Dr. Wesley Farr, an MD specializing in infectious diseases on the faculty at UWF.
Threats from COVID-19 remain fluid and additional travel restrictions are possible on short notice. Faculty and students planning to go abroad should check with the school’s Office of International Affairs. If the virus spreads as expected, more countries likely will be added.
Any individuals who have visited the affected areas, or have been exposed to others recently there themselves, are being asked by the university to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days before returning to campus.
“We have to be very careful now, with the coronavirus outbreak, that if we do have the symptoms or have been exposed, to stay at home until we get it cleared with the [UWF] Student Health Service,” said Farr.
After the quarantine, they’re asked to call UWF Student Health Services at 474-2172 for that clearance. In hopes of minimizing the risk for exposure on campus, they are urged NOT to visit Student Health Services in person.
Farr reminds faculty, staff and students that some of the basic protective measures our grandmothers taught us about influenza apply with COVID-19 – first and foremost, if you’re sick, stay home.
“Self-quarantine, it’s advisory, not anything that’s enforced,” said Farr. “And it’s recommended that they stay in their home; ideally, in their bedrooms if there are other individuals living in that home. We ask them that if they think they might have the illness, or have been exposed to it, to call Student Health Service.”
Other self-protective actions include not using public transportation if at all possible, along with the usual suspects.
“Hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds; sneezing or coughing into your elbow or a handkerchief,” said Farr. “Also, avoiding travel to places that somebody has a medical condition that puts them at greater risk.”
Updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about travel and travel restrictions can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.