Florida discovers 8 new cases of novel coronavirus as it continues spread across state
The number of known cases of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, spiked late Tuesday night as the disease continued to crop up across the state.
The Florida Department of Health announced one case in Nassau County, three in Collier County, two in Pinellas County and one in Pasco County, bringing the total number of known cases among Florida residents who are currently in the state to 21. All of the new cases are considered travel-related, but the state’s COVID-19 testing has been largely limited to testing people who have some connection to known areas of transmission until recent guidance issued this week.
Another case, a 68-year-old female from Georgia, is currently being isolated in Alachua County, and is not counted among Florida’s numbers. That investigation is being handled by Georgia’s health department.
The three Collier County cases included a 73-year-old man, a 68-year-old woman, and a 64-year-old woman. A 64-year-old man and a 67-year-old man tested positive in Pinellas County, and a 46-year-old man tested positive in Pasco County. In Nassau County, a 68-year-old man tested positive. All are being isolated until cleared by public health officials.
The rash of new cases came just hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office balked at comments made by Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading infectious disease expert on the federal Coronavirus Task Force.
Fauci plainly stated on Tuesday that Florida is one of four states with “community spread” of the disease and therefore elevated risk.
In response, the governor’s office reiterated its position: “There is no community spread of COVID-19 in Florida at this time.”
The governor’s office also on Tuesday said state health officials expanded testing guidance and expected help from commercial labs who could begin testing for COVID-19 next week.
On Monday, state health officials issued a wide-ranging advisory to anyone who had recently traveled through Port Everglades, which has become a hot spot of COVID-19 cases. Those people should monitor their health and self-isolate for two weeks if they develop symptoms, officials said.
Despite the late-night update on Tuesday, the state’s testing numbers were not changed from an early morning count of 222 negative test results and 155 pending results. The state is tracking 22 Florida residents with the respiratory illness, though one is isolated out-of-state.
Two Florida residents have died from the disease, which can be especially life-threatening for those with complicating health conditions and those of advanced age.
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 11:02 PM.
