The original item was published from 3/15/2020 8:14:00 AM to 3/15/2020 9:10:29 AM.

News Flash

City News Updates

Posted on: March 15, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Update on Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

If you suspect you have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call the Florida Department of Health - Broward County at 954.412.7300 BEFORE traveling to any health care facility.

Update on COVID-19:

The Florida Department of Health has announced updates regarding the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Florida. Four individuals have died, 106 positive cases have been identified, 478 tests results have come back as negative, and 221 test results are currently pending. Additionally, 365 people are currently being monitored, and 1,413 people monitored to date.

Positive Cases: Officials have announced confirmed cases in the following counties: 36 in Broward County, 2 in Miami-Dade, 3 in Collier County, 2 in Palm Beach County, 2 in Pinellas County, 4 in Lee County, 2 in Manatee County, 2 in Hillsborough County, 2 in Sarasota County, 3 in Volusia County, 1 in Alachua County, 1 in Charlotte County, 1 in Duval County, 1 in Clay County, 1 in Pasco County, 1 in Nassau County, 1 in Okaloosa County, 1 in Santa Rosa County, 1 in Seminole County

Deceased Individuals: A patient in Santa Rosa County and in Lee County have died following international trips.

What does Presumptive Positive mean? A Presumptive Positive is when a state health lab has a positive test without the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmation.
What does Positive mean? A positive test is when a sample sent to the state health lab comes back positive for COVID-19.
What does Negative mean? A negative result is when a sample sent toe the state health lab comes back negative for COVID-19
What does Pending Test Results mean? A pending test result is when a sample sent to the state health lab has not been declared positive or negative at this time.
What does People Under Public Health Monitoring mean? The number of people under public health monitoring includes those at risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 who are monitoring their health under the supervision of public health officials.

Declarations:

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic as of March 11th. This declaration does not change federal or state policy; only refers to the global spread of a new disease.
The President of the United States announced a National State of Emergency on Friday, March 13th.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency on Monday, March 9th.
Broward County Commissioners issued a State of Emergency on Tuesday, March 10th.
Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy signed a local State of Emergency on Wednesday, March 11th. This declaration enables the City to activate our state emergency response plan and mutual aid agreements and authorizes the expenditure of funds, and deployment of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
The City of Hollywood is now under a Level 2 Partial Activation of our Emergency Operations Center

Travel Restrictions:

On Wednesday, March 11th President Donald Trump announced temporary restrictions on flights from 26 European countries to the United States. This is in edition to travel warnings for passengers returning from ANY international travel or a cruise within the past 14 days.

Health Restrictions:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is issuing guidance directing nursing homes to issue temporary restrictions on all visitors and non-essential personal, with a few exceptions such as end of life situations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday, March 13th prohibited all visitation to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilitates and group homes for 30 days.

To keep all patients, families and staff safe from possible exposure to COVID-19, Memorial Healthcare System is limiting visitation to only primary caregivers for individual patients, and limiting visitors to one primary caregiver for each patient. Everyone else, including siblings of any age, may not visit.

Health Resources:

The Florida Department of Health has established a coronavirus hotline. The call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 866.779.6121. Information is also available via email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Memorial Healthcare System is also offering Telehealth Services via their website.
Click on the icon to log into MemorialDOCNow

Current risk assessment:

For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.
People in communities where ongoing community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated though still relatively low risk of exposure.
Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure
It is likely more cases of COVID-19 will be identified in the coming days.
At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and no medications approved to treat it. Nonpharmaceutical interventions would be the most important response strategy.

How to protect yourself:

Everyone can do their part to help respond to this emerging public health threat:

take everyday preventative actions to help stop the spread of germs
wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing or any physical contact with another individual.
if soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, especially immediately after contact with others or coughing or sneezing.
cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve (not your hand), then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
avoid close contact with people who are sick, exhibiting symptoms or who may have been exposed to the virus
clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a disinfecting household cleaning spray or wipe.
if you begin to feel sick, go home as soon as possible and stay home if you are sick
if you believe you have been exposed to the virus, are experiencing flu-like symptoms, have been in contact with someone infected with coronavirus or have traveled to a country where the outbreak exists, or believe you may be infected, please remain at home and do not have contact with other individuals. Immediately call the Florida Department of Health - Broward County at 954.412.7300 BEFORE traveling to any health care facility.
The CDC does not recommend asymptomatic, healthy people wear a facemask. Facemasks should be used only by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease.

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS

COVID-19 GENERAL PREVENTION

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Review your emergency plan:

Ensure a two-week supply of water and food.
Check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
Stock up on non-prescription drugs and other health supplies, like pain relievers, fluids with electrolytes, medical equipment, etc.
Print copies and save electronic versions of health records.
Confirm points of contact with family members and friends.
Have extra disinfectant household cleaning agents and wipes in your emergency kit.

Steps the City is taking:

Effective 12:00 p.m. on March 14th the City of Hollywood is under a level 2 (partial) activation of our Emergency Operations Center. City leaders continue to closely monitor the situation and are working with our partners at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Florida Department of Health, Memorial Regional Hospital and other local, state and federal organizations. Daily operations of all City services remain unchanged at this time, however City-sponsored events have been cancelled through the end of March and other programming has been impacted due to COVID-19. Effective Saturday, March 14, all City-programming held indoors within Community Centers will be cancelled until further notice. All organized athletic leagues, games, races and tournaments held at City recreational facilities will be cancelled until further notice. Outdoor parks and recreational amenities are open to the public, but the public is encouraged to use social distancing when using these outdoor public areas. For the latest status of City events and programming, and other programs offered throughout Broward County, please visit the City’s homepage posts. All are encouraged to utilize the many services currently offered online. Learn more here.

For your safety and the safety and security of others around you, and out of an abundance of caution, modified screening measures are currently underway at City facility security checkpoints. All employees and visitors will be screened prior to entering the facility.

Prior to entering a City facility:

Please have your ID ready
Be prepared to answer a few basic questions regarding recent travel history
Be prepared to answer a few basic questions regarding recent contact with people who are sick
Visitors who have returned from international travel within the past 14 days will be denied access and encouraged to self-isolate