The Florida Department of Health has announced new positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Florida.
These new positive cases were tested in Florida Department of Health labs. The health department is now including results from private laboratories in its daily reports.
Results from private labs will initially include fewer details, such as travel, because the state epidemiological team does not learn about the private lab cases until the results are added into the state system. As soon as the Department of Health learns of a positive case from a private lab, the epidemiological investigation begins.
The new positive cases include:
- A 73-year-old man in Palm Beach County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case and is associated with a Nile River Cruise/Tour in Egypt.
- A 74-year-old man in Palm Beach County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
- A 50-year-old male New York resident in Sarasota County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
- A 70-year-old male Massachusetts resident in Sarasota County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
- A 24-year-old woman in Alachua County. She is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
- A 70-year-old man in Volusia County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case and is associated with a Nile River Cruise/Tour in Egypt.
- An 83-year-old man in Duval County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
- A 57-year-old man in Clay County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
- A 28-year-old woman in Broward County. She is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
- A 25-year-old woman in Broward County. She is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case.
- A 20-year-old female Texas resident in Broward County. She is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
- A 68-year-old woman in Broward County. She is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This case is associated with Port Everglades.
- A 36-year-old man in Broward County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case.
- A 49-year-old female Hillsborough County woman. She is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
- A 77-year-old man in Lee County. He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. It currently is unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
- A 42-year-old Miami-Dade County man. This is a travel-related case with exposure to an international traveler.
International Travel
The U.S. Department of State is advising United States citizens against all travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.
CDC Guidelines
The department is advising all people who have traveled internationally to follow the guidelines below:
- Level 3: CDC recommends 14-day self-isolation and social distancing upon return to the United States. Social distancing includes avoiding going out in public and close personal interactions. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your county health department or healthcare provider.
- Level 2 and cruises: Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the U.S. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your county health department or healthcare provider.
For more information regarding current CDC travel advisories related to COVID-19, click HERE.
Nile cruise advisory
The department is advising everyone who traveled on a river cruise on the Nile River in Egypt in February to self-isolate for 14 days following their date of return to the U.S. Several passengers in the U.S. recently developed symptoms and have been confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, including two positive cases in Florida.
COVID-19 public website and call center
Please visit the department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding the Coronavirus in Florida. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in the Sunshine State, please contact the department’s dedicated COVID-19 call center at 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
What you should know
COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The Department recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; and
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The CDC does not recommend that asymptomatic, healthy people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for healthcare workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility).
A person who experiences a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and any other destination under CDC travel advisory should call ahead to their healthcare provider and local county health department and mention their recent travel or close contact.
If a person has had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area or been in contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, they should call ahead to a healthcare professional and the county health department. The healthcare provider will work with the department to determine if the person should be tested for COVID-19.