Over 5,700 cases of coronavirus; death toll rises to 71, health officials say

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ORLANDO, Fla. - UPDATE: The Florida Department of Health said there are 5,704 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, in its Monday night update. The number of positive Florida residents is 5,489. The number of deaths rose to 71.

The Florida Department of Health released its latest numbers on coronavirus in the state on Monday morning, stating that there are now almost 5,500 positive cases of coronavirus in the state and a new death toll of 63 people.

They specifically stated that there are 5,473 cases of coronavirus in Florida. 5,276 of those cases are Florida residents, while the rest are non-Florida residents who tested positive and are self-isolating in the state.

The department listed the following positive COVID-19 cases in each Central Florida county:

Alachua County: 74 positive cases of COVID-19
Brevard County: 28 positive cases of COVID-19
Flagler County: 12 positive cases of COVID-19
Lake County: 43 positive cases of COVID-19
Marion County: 22 positive cases of COVID-19
Orange County: 272 positive cases of COVID-19
Osceola County: 90 positive cases of COVID-19
Polk County: 55 positive cases of COVID-19
Seminole County: 83 positive cases of COVID-19
Sumter County: 46 positive cases of COVID-19
Volusia County: 64 positive cases of COVID-19

Of the positive cases, 652 people are hospitalized, they said.

They also said that the new death toll stands at 63.

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On Monday morning, Governor Ron DeSantis announced two new executive orders.

The first one issued a mandate on southeastern Florida to enact "safer at home" guidelines, especially as 60 percent of Florida cases are in this region, the Governor said. Residents are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible and essential businesses that remain open must practice social distancing or they will be shut down.

The second executive order will allow retired law enforcement and healthcare workers to go back to work immediately if they chose to. Current law requires six-months before returning to work after retirement, but the Governor is suspending this to meet the increasing demand as the pandemic continues.

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Coronavirus can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces. Others can then contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then their eyes, nose, or mouth.

As stated before, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They may show in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure, the Florida Department of Health says. Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment but the elderly and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

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There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus, so avoiding exposure is crucial. The department advises the following:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue.
Wash 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% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The CDC said that they do not recommend that healthy people wear facemasks. They should only be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people taking care of someone in close settings.

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If you display coronavirus symptoms, you should contact a local health organization and make them aware of your condition prior to arrival while also following specific instructions or guidelines they may have. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know if you have been infected or believe that you may be.

If you are infected, a medical professional or another authority will likely advise that you remain isolated while sick. This includes staying at home and not going into public places or large events.

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Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

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