Florida Dept of Health issues morning Coronavirus update – March 26

Information from Florida Dept of Health
March 26, 2020

The total number of Coronavirus cases continues to climb in Florida.  This morning, the Florida Dept of Health is reporting an additional case of Coronavirus in Nassau County.  That brings the  total number of individuals infected in Nassau County to 5.  For further information, click here.

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Tammi Kosack
Tammi Kosack(@tammi-kosack)
4 years ago

It is alarming to me when I hear the argument “Nassau County only has 5 positive cases” so the beaches can open and life can resume. It is equally alarming when the Florida DoH presents a bar graph which shows very limited data and what appears like the passing of the apex. Both of these issues create a false sense of security. While certain specifics may be accurate, they cannot be looked at in a vacuum.

Facts: As of noon 3/26/20 Eight of the states 29 deaths (29%) have been in NE Florida. Florida has tested 37,539 with 2355 positive (8%). St. John’s has tested 498 with 33 positive (6.6%). Duval has tested 1309 with 74 positive (5.6%). And Nassau has tested (an incredibly insufficient) 52 with 5 positive (10%).

As testing increases we WILL continue to see our numbers and percentage increase. We are already the highest in the area for positive percentage and we are above the national percentage rate. The demographic on our island is such that we are extremely vulnerable to a Darwinian re-set that locally could reach the devastation of the Spanish flu.

If our beaches are open, our island is open for mass infection. It is too bad the county has received complaints that our beaches are closed—our government has a constituency to protect. If any thought is given to opening the beaches, then the island should close: all roads in and out and the airport. Even this poses risks and may conflict with army corps guidelines for sand renourishment. We simply cannot risk our Island being rampantly infected by beach goers or visitors or people acting in selfish ways by congregating in groups.

We should be making restrictions tighter at this point, not relaxing our vigilance.

Buckle up Amelia. Be smart, be safe. Mr. Toad is about to engage the turbo button and we must hang on so as not to become a statistic.