2 Coronavirus Cases In Pinellas; 136 Statewide

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Two of the 136 positive coronavirus cases are residents in Pinellas County, according to an update released by the Florida Department of Health released Saturday.

The DOH reported that a 64-year-old man and a 67-year-old man in Pinellas have tested positive and have been isolated.

On Friday, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners declared a local state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The declaration, effective for seven days, but renewable, gives County Administrator Barry A. Burton authority to approve expenditures and issue special orders needed to ensure public safety during the response.

“Our focus at this time is slowing down any potential onset of the COVID-19 virus so it doesn’t overwhelm our health and emergency response systems,” Burton said. “At this point, we know that the best way to mitigate local risk to coronavirus is social isolation. We know that we can prevent the spread of the disease by limiting social contact, and we need to take very reasonable measures to do it.”

Burton said the county’s primary focus will be to protect its most vulnerable populations, including the elderly and citizens with chronic illnesses, and that he will take the following steps immediately:

• Expand on an order by Gov. Ron DeSantis by providing increased guidance for procedures for screening and reduced visitation at long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where some 13,500 Pinellas County residents live.
• Work with municipal partners on cancellations of public mass gatherings with the aim of protecting both the public and emergency responders.

The Department of Health remains the lead response agency in Florida and is working on containment and mitigation with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pinellas County will continue to support the DOH-Pinellas with proactive planning and coordination of the local response. County officials have been holding regular coordination calls with its executive policy group, appointing authorities and municipal partners.

Additionally, the county’s Emergency Operations Center and Citizen Information Center have been partially activated. Residents with questions can call the CIC at 727-464-4333 through 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Pinellas County has also established a dedicated COVID-19 website where citizens can find in-depth information on the virus, links to resources and regular updates.