State Of Local Emergency Extended; Pinellas County Reports 780 Deaths Total

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday extended its State of Local Emergency declaration for COVID-19 through Oct. 16.

The extension keeps in effect a county ordinance requiring face coverings and social distancing within public places and retains the county's eligible for reimbursements from FEMA for costs related to responding to the pandemic.

As of Friday, Pinellas County reported 22,910 positive cases of the coronavirus with 780 deaths and 2,383 hospitalizations since March.

In the past week, the county has experienced a yo yo effect in positive cases with 95 positive cases on Thursday, 236 on Wednesday and 91 on Tuesday.

Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, reported that Pinellas County's seven-day rolling averages for new cases and positive tests, along with hospital capacity, remain stable.

County Administrator Barry A. Burton noted that local health care leaders, as well as the nation's top experts, Dr. Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, continue to recommend face coverings as one of the most effective measures available for slowing virus spread.

Burton also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in establishing benchmarks that could support policy change, noting that many residents travel between neighboring counties. He acknowledged that there are issues specific to Pinellas County the board will want to consider when contemplating any recommendations.

By state law, the State of Local Emergency declaration must be extended every seven days to remain in effect. The board recently delegated authority to Burton for near-future extensions, but said it will take them up directly when holding a regular meeting. The next regular meeting is Oct. 20.