2 Pinellas, 1 Pasco Resident Test Positive For Coronavirus

TAMPA BAY, FL — The first Pinellas and Pasco County residents have tested positive for coronavirus, announced state health officials Tuesday night.

The Florida Department of Health said the two cases in Pinellas County and one in Pasco County are among eight new cases confirmed in Florida Tuesday. All are related to travel.

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The department said:

• A 67-year old man in Pinellas County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.
• A 64-year old man in Pinellas County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.
• And a 46-year old man in Pasco County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.

The other positive cases were in Nassau, Collier and Alachua counties:

• A 68-year old man in Nassau County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.
• A 68-year old woman visiting Alachua County from George has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials. The Georgia Department of Public Health is leading her epidemiological investigation.
• A 73-year old man in Collier County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.
• A 68-year old woman in Collier County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.
• A 64-year old woman in Collier County has been isolated and will remain in isolation until cleared by public health officials.

Up until Tuesday, the only Tampa Bay cases were a 63-year-old man in Manatee County and a 29-year-old Hillsborough County woman.

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According to the Florida Department of Health, there have been 21 positive cases in Florida including two deaths. The health department has monitored 1,161 people to date with 319 currently under observation.

Although the health department maintains that the risks of contracting the virus are low, Tampa Mayor Sandy Castor said people are understandably concerned. She announced an initiative Tuesday to reduce the spread of the virus.

Castor said Tampa Police, Fire Rescue, the Department of Health in Hillsborough County and Code Enforcement will visit 83 assisted living facilities and eight nursing homes in the coming week to make sure everything possible is being done to reduce the risk.

Castor noted that the elderly population and those with existing medical conditions are the most vulnerable.

The city will review the hygiene and sanitation protocols as well as the employee sick leave policies at the assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Health officials will set up screenings for visitors as well.

“The issue here is easy transmission," said Castor. "Prevention is key. We are committed in Tampa to providing information to ensure the community is safe.”

Castor, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, Tampa Fire Chief Nick LoCicero and Health Department Director Doug Holt kicked off the series of inspections with a walk-through at the Palm Avenue Baptist Tower, 215 E. Palm Ave., Tampa.

In addition, Castor said the city has ordered more electrostatic machines to clean and disinfect high-touch areas at public places including Tampa International Airport, City Hall and Port Tampa Bay.

While public school students in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties are on spring break next week, the school districts will take the opportunity to do a thorough spring cleaning including disinfecting the schools before students return.

"There is currently no evidence that coronavirus is in any of our schools," said Hillsborough County Schools spokeswoman Tanya Arja. "The Florida Department of Health is not recommending closures."

Nevertheless, she said staff is taking extra steps to prevent the spread of germs throughout school campuses.

"We are installing hand sanitizer dispensers at the main entrances to all schools and cafeterias and on school buses to further encourage good hygiene," she said.

In addition, "our teams are delivering the first shipment—18 pallets—of disinfecting wipes to all schools for classroom spot disinfecting. Custodial crews have their own different supplies used for disinfecting," Arja said.

The schools are also posting flyers on campuses and showing a video on the morning shows to remind students to wash their hands often for at least 20 seconds, cough or sneeze into their elbows or sleeves and stay home if they're sick.

Table courtesy Florida Department of Health

"The risk of infection remains low for the general public in Florida and across the United States," said Pinellas County Schools spokeswoman Isabel Mascarenas "The district is following the recommendations from the DOH, CDC and Florida Department of Education."