Hillsborough County Coronavirus Update: What You Need To Know

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Three more Hillsborough County residents who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the number of deaths to 16, announced the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County on Sunday.

Those who have died include a:

• 69-year-old male
• 71-year-old female
• 92-year-old female
• 68-year-old female
• 86-year-old female
• 77-year-old male
• 55-year-old male
• 78-year-old male
• 74-year-old male
• 67-year-old male
• 74-year-old male
• 73-year-old male
• 63-year-old male
• 93-year-old female
• 64-year-old female
• 66-year-old male

As of Monday, April 11, there were 790 positive cases in Hillsborough County with 122 people hospitalized. They range from newborn to age 100. The median age is 45 years old.

Those who tested positive include:

• 519 in Tampa
• 60 in Riverview
• 39 in Brandon
• 26 in Ruskin
• 16 in Valrico
• 15 in Lutz
• 22 in Wimauma
• 10 in Sun City Center
• 9 in Apollo Beach
• 9 in Plant City
• 7 in Odessa
• 5 in Thonotosassa
• 5 in Seffner
• 5 in Gibsonton
• 4 in Temple Terrace
• 3 in Lithia
• 2 in Dover
• 1 in Westchase
• 1 in Tampa Palms

The DOH didn't have the locations of 10 other people who tested positive.

Surplus Produce

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.

Webinars For Managing Money

The Hillsborough County Extension Service is also offering online webinars and services to help residents navigate the latest financial information and offer assistance in response to the rapidly changing economic landscape due to the spread of the coronavirus. These resources are free and open to the public.

• Managing Investments in Uncertain Times - This interactive webinar, presented by the University of Florida IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences in partnership with the Financial Planning Association of Florida, will provide answers to questions about managing investments in uncertain times, and will provide unbiased information to help residents make informed financial decisions. The webinar will take place Thursday, April 16 from 10-11 a.m. Registration is required.
• Free Remote Tax Prep Assistance for Hillsborough County will be offered for those who can connect via web meeting. During the web 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 for the following times: Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m. For more information, or to make an appointment, contact Denise Kantak, 813-744-5519, ext. 54141 or Kantakd@HCFLGov.net.

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Resources For Residents

Employment

Florida residents whose incomes are negatively affected by efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may be eligible for reemployment assistance. Find resources.

Families

Hillsborough County has services to help pay for housing expenses, including home mortgages, mobile homes, rent and energy bills.

• Power and utility bills. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program help Hillsborough County residents pay for energy bills so they don't have to choose between electricity and groceries. Assistance is provided for as long as program funds are available.
• Rental payments and mortgages. Hillsborough County offers limited rental payment assistance to eligible households, home mortgage (no foreclosures), apartment rent, mobile home, lot rent and utilities (if included in the lease.)

Mental Health Assistance

• Local assistance for mental health support. Anyone can find themselves facing a crisis in life and Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is here to help residents.
• How to talk to children about COVID-19. The CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
• Managing stress and anxiety for veterans. Veterans having thoughts of suicide or that need mental help during this time can contact the Veterans Crisis Line by either calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or chatting online with Veterans Crisis Line. The free support is confidential and available 24/7.
• Wellness resources for mental health and well-being. The national Disaster Distress Helpline is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to speak to a counselor. The Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
• Tips on how to manage stress. The CDC provides assistance and resources for those dealing with stress during coronavirus pandemic.

Food Assistance

• Meals for kids. Parents can visit one of the Hillsborough County Grab-and-Go Feeding sites for a free breakfast and lunch for their child. See participating locations.
• Food for families. Feeding Tampa Bay offers a number of different ways to bring food to your table every day, from Breakspot Meal Sites and Senior Groceries to Mobile Pantries and Trinity Café.
• Families in underserved areas of Hillsborough and East Pasco counties also have access to fresh fruits and vegetables through the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA Veggie Van.
• Food for pets. Pet Resource Center offers people who need help feeding pets with its Food Pantry. To receive assistance, call 813-744-5660.

Kids

• Many local YMCA facilities are offering “relief care” for school-age children whose parents work in medical, emergency response and military fields. Visit the website for more information.

Seniors

Meals

Seniors who attend dining centers/congregate meal sites, receive services through adult day care centers or receive home delivered meals can call 813-272-5160 for information about the continuation of services.

Mental Health

To help ease those feelings and keep older people healthy, Aging Services is offering virtual phone-in wellness sessions so seniors can stay mentally and physically engaged while at home.

Virtual senior wellness sessions are offered twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday in both English and Spanish.

Sessions in English are from 11:45 - 12:45 p.m.

Sessions in Spanish are from 1- 2 p.m.

The call-in number is 1-888-585-9008
Conference Room Number is 784132094#

Each session is broken into segments that feature the following topics:

• Health and safety tips with a registered nurse
• Healthy eating tips during stressful times by a registered dietician
• Updates related to coronavirus
• Senior resources and links to stay connected
• Activities focused on the seven dimensions of wellness
• Mindful meditation or laughter is the best medicine for stress

Fitness

• The National Institute on Aging offers workout suggestions.
• Workout with Silver Sneakers videos on YouTube or visit the Silver Sneakers Facebook page.

Price gouging

Under declared states of emergency, Florida's price gouging law is in effect to prohibit extreme increases in the prices of essential items such as food, ice, gas, hotels and water.

Residents can report suspected price gouging or unlicensed contractors by:

• Calling the Florida's State Attorney price gouging hotline at 1 (866) 9-NO-SCAM or 1 (866) 966-7226
• Complete the Florida Office of the Attorney General's Price Gouging Complaint Form

Related stories:

• Florida Deaths From Coronavirus Surpass 500; 21,367 Cases
• Hillsborough Coronavirus Curfew Goes Into Effect Monday Night