Nassau County Emergency Mgt
March 24, 2020
The “OneNassau” Joint Information System (JIS) is monitoring the rapidly changing situation in order to provide timely, accurate, unified messaging to our residents. Updates will be provided each afternoon; more frequently only if warranted.
Current Situation in Nassau County:
• Nassau still has only one positive case of Coronavirus. There have been no new cases of Coronavirus in Nassau County.
• The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at Level 2 Activation with enhanced staffing to take calls from the public and continue processing emergency requests for resources.
• Emergency Management and Department of Health personnel will be monitoring the situation in Nassau County and the State throughout the weekend, and are prepared to respond to any changes in the community’s needs
• The FDOH website floridahealthcovid19.gov should have all you need to know about COVID19 in Florida, but anyone with questions about the pandemic over the weekend or after 5 p.m. can call FDOH COVID-19 Call Center toll-free at 866-779-6121
• Residents who are ILL and have traveled to a known “community spread” area or been a “close contact” to a known positive case of Coronavirus should call DOH-Nassau at 904-875-6100 for guidance
• Nassau County Schools will now begin providing meals for students Tuesday, March 24th – see https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/ for more info
• A number of Executive Orders have been issued that impact our local businesses. Business owners should complete the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) impact survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/; businesses experiencing economic injury may apply for a bridge-loan on www.FloridaDisasterLoan.org or Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan assistance at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Continue to take everyday precautions to reduce disease transmission:
• If you are at risk or have underlying health conditions, avoid crowds and maintain social distancing practices.
• Stay home, away from others whenever ill.
• Cough/sneeze into your elbow, sleeve, or a tissue (and throw the used tissue into the trash).
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place; if soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching common surfaces in public places – door handles, ATM buttons, handrails, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something; avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces to remove germs every day (e.g., tables and counters, doorknobs, light switches, steering wheels, keyboards and mice, faucets, remotes, and phones)
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the “clearing house” for Nassau County’s JIS and posts incident information regularly on the NassauEM Facebook Page and www.NassauFLEM.com website. If you have questions, please call the EOC’s information line 904-548-0900 or message the EOC staff through the NassauEM Facebook page.
What are Community Mitigation and Social Distancing Measures for a Pandemic?
Community mitigation measures, such as cancelling or postponing large festivals and other nonessential gatherings, are common-sense measures taken to reduce person-to-person transmission of pathogens. Social distancing helps stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases. People who are at higher risk from infections (e.g., older individuals, those with other health issues like heart/lung disease or diabetes, babies) are encouraged to avoid crowds as much as possible and minimize contact with others. For instance, plan ahead to avoid shopping at peak hours and reduce frequency of trips to the store.
Do not attend large gatherings if you are:
• ill
• immune compromised
• over the age of 65
• living with a chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease
• a contact of a known or suspected case of COVID-19
• exposed to someone with a known respiratory illness
• a domestic traveler to/from an area with widespread community transmission of the novel Coronavirus
• an international traveler, especially to destinations under a Level 3 travel advisory for
“widespread or ongoing community spread” of the novel Coronavirus
Everyone plays a part in lowering the impact of emerging diseases within our communities and workplaces. Take action every day to impede the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza.
Preventive actions include:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, you can use a hand sanitizer with 60-95% alcohol – but that is not the best choice – use soap and water whenever possible.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay isolated when you are sick – this cannot be emphasized enough.
• People who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness should stay isolated at home until they are free of fever and any other symptoms without the use of any medications for at least 24 hours. Employees should contact their healthcare provider before returning to work.
• Before traveling, check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each intended destination.
• Any employee who becomes sick while traveling must promptly consult with their
healthcare provider and understand that they should notify their supervisor for guidance before returning to work.
FDOH’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage FloridaHealthCoViD19.gov remains the best and most up-to-date resource for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida. Their COVID19 Call Center is active 24/7 for questions about this virus: (866) 779-6121 or email [email protected].
All other local questions should be directed to the Emergency Operations Center at (904) 5480900.