Nassau County Emergency Management
June 27, 2020
Nassau County Coronavirus Update. We’ve seen an upward surge in the percent of positive Coronavirus test results in Nassau County and throughout the state, not because of an increase in access to testing, but because of a decrease in actions taken to prevent community transmission.
Even among age groups that might have fewer complications from infection, the incidence is going up, largely due to people who are no longer adhering to established public health guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida Department of Health (FDOH) are urging everyone to use caution, wash hands well with soap and water often, clean and disinfect touched surfaces frequently, and wear masks in public to prevent droplet-spread. Public Health guidelines for employers include requiring masks on workers, enhancing cleaning and disinfection protocols, providing space for social distancing, erecting plastic partitions, and prohibiting hugs and handshakes.
Under the Florida Governor’s Executive Order 20-139, all individuals are responsible for following CDC public health and safety recommendations and businesses that reopen are subject to enforcement under section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and by licensing agencies (e.g., Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Department of Health) should follow social distancing guidance (space people six feet apart), limit indoor patrons to 50% of max occupancy, and have employees wash hands frequently, clean and disinfect surfaces more often, and wear a mask to protect others in case they are infectious but are not symptomatic. Many, but not all, local bars and restaurants are following those recommendations. As a result, many of the new cases being reported are from the service industry and its customers.
Florida’s Surgeon General issued a Public Health Advisory this week reminding residents and visitors: stay home if sick and don’t return to normal activities until all symptoms have resolved for at least 24 hours, avoid crowds and prevent gatherings of more than 50 people; when in groups of fewer than 50 people, practice social-distancing by keeping 6-8 feet of space between individuals, wear a face mask to prevent accidental droplet transmission, and do not touch or shake hands with non-household members. Individuals vulnerable to complications from infection should take special precautions including: staying home whenever possible, washing hands well and often, cleaning and disinfecting all frequently-touched surfaces at least daily, and avoiding touching their faces (especially eyes, nose, or mouth) or any object/surface that anyone else might have touched (like elevator buttons or doorknobs).
If you are interested in Public Health updates and knowing which local businesses have adopted safer practices, you can opt-in for text messages by texting NassauSafe to 888777.