Hillsborough Coronavirus Update: What You Need To Know

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group has joined the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County in encouraging residents to follow a new Centers for Disease Control recommendation to wear face coverings in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, recent studies show that a significant portion of people with the coronavirus lack symptoms, and those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.

In addition to maintaining 6-foot social distancing, the CDC is advising as a voluntary measure the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost.

Latest Numbers

As of Tuesday, April 7, 608 residents tested positive for the coronavirus including 16 nonresidents, according to the Florida Department of Health. They ranged in age from newborn to age 93. Positive cases were included 301 males and 305 females.

Those who tested positive include:

• 396 in Tampa
• 43 in Riverview
• 30 in Brandon
• 20 in Ruskin
• 13 in Lutz
• 11 in Valrico
• 9 in Wimauma
• 8 in Apollo Beach
• 8 in Sun City Center
• 6 in Plant City
• 5 in Thonotosassa
• 5 in Odessa
• 5 in Seffner
• 4 in Gibsonton
• 3 in Temple Terrace
• 3 in Lithia
• 2 in Dover
• 1 in Westchase
• 1 in Tampa Palms

The DOH didn't have the locations of eight other people who tested positive.

All Nonessential Businesses Most Close

The EPG rceived confirmation that, under the executive order issued by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week, businesses considered nonessential must close their physical locations. These businesses may continue to operate if employees can work from home or another remote location. For a list of businesses and activities considered essential, click here.

The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group is comprised of three county commissioners, the mayors from the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, the sheriff, and chairman of the School Board. The EPG’s next meeting is scheduled Thursday, April 9 at 1:30 p.m.

Guidelines For Religious Gatherings

With the approach of Easter, Gov. Ron DeSantis defined “attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and houses of worship” as an essential activity without specific restrictions on social distancing in his statewide Stay-At-Home order, which took effect April 3.

While the governor’s order does not place any limitations on the number of people who can attend religious services or mandate social distancing, those attending in-person religious services are urged to follow the life-saving advice from the EPG:

• Houses of worship and religious services are essential to the fabric of every community in Hillsborough County. To promote the safety and well-being of all people, public health experts recommend that all large gatherings, including religious services, be conducted online or through other communication technology whenever possible until the threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus has passed.
• Those who choose to attend religious services in person should follow the public health and safety guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. This includes providing at least 6 feet of space between attendees and avoiding gathering in groups larger than 10 people.

Surplus Produce Directory

The Hillsborough County Extension Service is developing a directory of surplus produce available for sale by local farms. The directory will help local producers impacted by market disruptions brought on by the spread of the coronavirus connect directly with consumers and community groups. Sales will be wholesale quantity, not typical grocery store quantity.

To be included, farmers wanting to sell produce and consumers interested in buying are required to complete a short form here.

Closures Extended

The Hillsborough County government has extended all closures through April 30. The closures impact facilities and services across the county. For details and up-to-date information regarding cancellations and closures, click here.

Until further notice, all county commission meetings, including public hearings and workshops, will be conducted “virtually” via telephonic and/or video communications technology, and will resume on April 15.

Residents will have the ability to view and participate “virtually” in all BOCC meetings. All other meetings remain cancelled until April 30, with the exception of the Emergency Policy Group.

Residents who are able to conduct business transactions online or over the phone are encouraged to continue to do so at this time. However, during this local state of emergency, residents should be prepared for some day-to-day services to take a bit longer to process than usual.

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Drive-Through Testing

Due to a recent increase in the number of coronavirus testing kits, Hillsborough County's call center is continuing to schedule testing appointments for symptomatic people who meet the testing criteria.

Drive-through testing will only be administered to symptomatic residents who have preregistered and have scheduled an appointment through Hillsborough County's call center at 813-272-5900.

The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No closing date is scheduled at this time. Testing will take place at one of the county's testing sites. However, testing will not proceed without an appointment.

Free Tax Preparation

The Hillsborough County Extension Service will offer free tax prep assistance for Hillsborough County residents who can connect through a web-based meeting platform starting April 7.
During the meeting, tax filers will be given access to tax-filing software and will receive one-on-one assistance from IRS-trained and -certified volunteers. Appointments for the free service are required and may be made Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments must be made in advance. Contact Denise Kantak at 813-744-5519 or Kantakd@HCFLGov.net.

Note: the due date for filing tax returns and making tax payments has been extended to July 15. You may file a request for an additional tax extension to extend your deadline to Oct. 15.

Supplies Needed

Hillsborough County is putting out a plea for donations of medical supplies that can be used to help fight the spread of the coronavirus. Medical schools, dental clinics, elective surgery centers, private vendors, residents and others are asked to donate only the following items:

• Impervious gowns
• Face shields
• Surgical masks
• N95 masks
• Tyvek suits
• Exam gloves

The equipment must be medical grade personal protection equipment (PPE) and new in the box or unused. All sizes are needed. The supply of donated equipment will be used locally in hospitals, nursing centers, assisted living facilities or other areas of need. Donations can be dropped off at the former Sears Automotive shop at 250 Westshore Plaza in Tampa Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Social Distancing Violations

Hillsborough County residents concerned about businesses not following social distancing rules should call the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations at 850-487-1395.
Residents concerned about other residents not adhering to social distancing regulations should call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 813-247-8200.

See related stories:

• FL Governor Suspends Foreclosures, Evictions Over Coronavirus
• Florida Coronavirus Update: 14,504 Cases, 283 Deaths
• Interactive Map: Latest US Coronavirus Cases