coronavirus

More Confirmed Coronavirus Cases in Broward, Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade has second case, Broward up to 11 as confirmed cases jump in Florida

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What to Know

  • Four new cases were announced in Broward with another case in Miami-Dade
  • All of the individuals are isolated and will remain isolated, according to the state's Department of Health
  • Public universities — which have some of the country's largest enrollments — will move to remote instruction effective Monday

Health officials in Florida announced more positive cases of the novel coronavirus late Thursday and Friday across the state, including four new cases in Broward County and a second case in Miami-Dade.

The new Miami-Dade case involves a 42-year-old man who tested positive, and was considered travel-related, officials said. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez confirmed Friday morning that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

A total of 45 Florida residents have now tested positive in the state, with another 6 non-Florida residents testing positive, according to figures released by the department of health Friday. Five additional Florida residents have tested positive outside the state. There have been two deaths in Florida related to COVID-19.

The new positive cases include:

  • A 73-year old male in Palm Beach County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case and is associated with a Nile River Cruise/Tour in Egypt.
  • A 74-year old male in Palm Beach County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
  • A 50-year old male New York resident who is currently in Sarasota County has tested positive for COVID-19. 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 has tested positive for COVID-19. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
  • A 24-year old female in Alachua County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
  • A 70-year old male in Volusia County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case and is associated with a Nile River Cruise/Tour in Egypt.
  • An 83-year-old male in Duval County has tested positive for COVID-19. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
  • A 57-year old male in Clay County has tested positive for COVID-19. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
  • A 28-year old female in Broward County has tested positive for COVID-19. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
  • A 25-year old female in Broward County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case.
  • A 20-year old female Texas resident in Broward County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
  • A 68-year old female in Broward County has tested positive for COVID-19. This case is associated with Port Everglades.
  • A 36-year old male in Broward County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case.
  • A 49-year old female Hillsborough County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a travel-related case and is associated with travel to Europe.
  • A 77-year old male in Lee County has tested positive for COVID-19. It is currently unclear whether this was a travel-related case; the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.

All of the individuals are isolated and will remain isolated, according to the state's Department of Health.

As of Friday, 1,413 people across the state have been monitored, with 365 people still being monitored. A total of 478 negative results have been returned while 221 results were still pending.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, and Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho had scheduled separate Friday afternoon news conferences.

Broward County officials declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to make way for more resources to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Broward College announced Thursday night that it is transitioning its spring courses to remote instruction. Course instruction will be suspended for students beginning Saturday through March 22. Exceptions are for any field experience courses and law enforcement academies.

Broward School Superintendent Robert Runcie stressed that the school system does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Thursday.

Miami Dade and Broward colleges are canceling classes and will transition to remote learning under an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus.

Runcie said Broward Schools have canceled all international travel, and all out of state travel has been suspended. Starting Monday all travel in-state will also be suspended. In addition, all students and employees traveling voluntarily to any of the CDC's level 3 areas must self-report and self isolate for 14 days after returning, Runcie said.

The new coronavirus — which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday — causes only mild or moderate symptoms for most people. But it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia in older adults and people with existing health problems. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus, which causes COVID-19, within weeks.

Even though most cases in Florida are linked to travel outside the state, universities, government officials and businesses are taking measures to control the spread within the state.

Public universities — which have some of the country's largest enrollments — will move to remote instruction effective Monday. The move is intended to minimize risks to students and staff, especially as they prepare to return from spring break.

As a further precaution ahead of Tuesday's presidential primary, the governor urged elections officials to move any polling places away from nursing homes or other facilities that house or care for the elderly. And he suspended all official travel for state employees for 30 days.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Thursday he was canceling several events, such as a county fair, and the Miami Open tennis tournament.

Gimenez also announced a county-wide state of emergency. Numerous cities in Miami-Dade, including Miami, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables, announced similar emergency declarations Thursday.

AP and NBC 6
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