Brevard County reports its first coronavirus case - Florida Today

Dave Berman Florida Today

Published 11:00 PM EDT Mar 16, 2020

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The Florida Department of Health has identified the first presumptive positive case of the coronavirus in Brevard County, the county announced Monday night.

More: Coronavirus Space Coast: Here's what is closed or has changed amid COVID-19 concerns

In its statement, the county said additional information on whether the coronavirus case was travel-related, as well as the gender and age of the person infected, was not immediately available.

As of Monday evening, Florida has confirmed 142 other cases of coronavirus across the state, including confirmed cases in nearby Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, according to the Florida Department of Health. There have been five coronavirus-related deaths in Florida.

Brevard County Communications Director Don Walker said the county has no additional details about the local case, but felt it was appropriate to release the information it has about there being a Brevard County case.

He said he anticipates that county officials will meet Tuesday to discuss whatever additional responses or policy changes the county needs to make now that Brevard has a coronavirus case.

A "presumptive positive" case like the one in Brevard awaits final confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Walker said.

Details about the individual — including whether or not quarantine orders had been issued for the person — were not immediately available.

"Official quarantine orders have not been issued to anyone in Brevard County,” Anita Stremmel, assistant director for the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, wrote in an email sent minutes before the case was announced. 

Brevard County said its Emergency Management Department "continues to work closely with local, state and federal health officials to monitor the spread of the disease."

The county also has had two meetings of its 10-member Policy Group — a panel of top government, public safety, health and school officials that convenes in emergency situations. 

In a statement issued by the county, the chair of that Policy Group, County Commission Chairman Bryan Lober said: "The arrival of coronavirus in Brevard is neither a surprise nor catastrophic." 

On Saturday, Brevard County, through its Policy Group, declared a local state of emergency, which gives the county additional avenues:

• To obtain protective equipment for first responders and sanitation supplies for critical public facilities.
• To make adjustments on leave policies.
• To tap into financial reserves to deal with potential emergencies.
• To seek federal reimbursement for consequence management actions.

The county is emphasizing continuing preventive measures to stem the spread of coronavirus.

"The message for prevention continues to be individual responsibility, with the key focus on social distancing and avoidance of large gatherings to prevent the spread of germs," the county statement said.

Among the advice:

• Individuals should continue to wash their hands often and thoroughly, using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Practice social distancing by keeping 6 feet between yourself and others.
• Avoid large gatherings.
• Self-isolate if you are sick.
• Call your regular physician, local emergency room or urgent-care clinic for screening to determine whether you should be seen by medical personnel.

As of  Monday night, there were 4,661 coronavirus cases reported in the United States and 181,587 worldwide, according to a Florida Department of Health database.

The Florida counties with the most coronavirus cases are Broward (39), Miami-Dade (23), Palm Beach (eight), Volusia (seven) and Collier (six).

Florida has 67 counties, and, with Brevard added to the list, 26 have reported cases of coronavirus.

Brevard County residents can call 2-1-1 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. for up-to-date information on coronavirus.

After hours, anyone with questions should call the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center at 866-779-6121. The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our journalists are working hard to report on the coronavirus and its effects on the Space Coast, and bring you the stories free of charge as a service to the community. If these local stories are important to you, support us by becoming a subscriber. Right now you can try a digital subscription for $3 for 3 months. 

Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon contributed to this report.

Dave Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bydaveberman

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