Pinellas Board Of County Commissioners Receives Encouraging Vaccine Progress Update

From the Pinellas County Government:

March 9, 2021

One year after Pinellas County had its first COVID-19 case, public health officials on Tuesday shared signs of more progress in the long battle against the virus during the Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting.

As options for vaccines expand and new groups are invited to make appointments, nearly 176,000 residents have received at least one vaccine dose, including more than 132,000 seniors, which equals nearly 18 percent of the county population. In addition, another 10,000 residents, including 8,800 seniors, have received vaccines through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Pinellas County.

In all, well over half of the County’s senior population has been vaccinated as the State of Florida begins opening the vaccine to people 60 and older next week. Residents 65 and older, as well as other groups recently made eligible, can book appointments at www.PatientPortalFL.com or by calling 844-770-8548.

As the Commission extended the County’s Local State of Emergency through March 19, Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County Director Dr. Ulyee Choe also shared the following data and updates about ongoing efforts to curb the virus:

• 11 missions completed at churches and organizations in traditionally underserved communities to improve equity in vaccine distribution with two more scheduled this week

• 4.5 percent average positivity for tests in the past seven days

• 68,085 cases reported since the start of the pandemic

• 1,482 deaths in Pinellas to date

• Hospital capacity remains stable

• State is tracking COVID-19 variants that may be more contagious

For more information on local vaccine distribution and availability, visit https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/vaccines.

McCabe, Minnis honored

The Board named the State Attorney’s wing within the Pinellas County Justice Center after Bernie McCabe, the longtime Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney who died in January, and the Pinellas County Law Library in the Clearwater Courthouse after Fred G. Minnis Sr., the county’s first full-time African-American attorney.

The decision to honor Minnis, who died in 1991, was prompted by a nomination from the Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association, an organization that supports minority lawyers in Pinellas County.

Purchase agreement for Gladys Douglas property ratified

The Board ratified an interlocal agreement between the County and City of Dunedin for the acquisition of the Gladys Douglas property in Dunedin. The Board previously supported the purchase of the 44 acres of environmentally sensitive land for $10 million, with $3.5 million provided by the County, $2 million by the city and $4.5 million raised in donations.

This press release was produced by the Pinellas County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.