KEY POINTS

  • The Florida Health Department has confirmed two individuals tested positive for COVID-19
  • The first patient is a man in his 60s who contracted pneumonia despite no travel history
  • The second patient is a woman in his 20s who recently returned from a trip in Italy 
  • Both are in stable condition and are isolated

The Florida Health Department announced that two persons are positive for COVID-19 and are now in isolation.

Governor Ron DeSantis spoke to the media Monday and confirmed the news, said CNN.

The first case is an adult man living in Manatee County who contracted pneumonia but is in stable condition at a hospital, said DeSantis.

The patient had no prior travel history, making it unclear on how he was infected by COVID-19. However, he immediately sought health care and was isolated and will remain as such until he is cleared by public health officials.

A man wearing a protective facemask, as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, walks through a deserted shopping mall in Beijing
A man wearing a protective facemask, as a preventative measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, walks through a deserted shopping mall in Beijing AFP / NICOLAS ASFOURI

“The Florida Health Department is working closely with the patient, their close contacts and health care providers to isolate and monitor persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and implement testing of anyone who may develop COVID-19 symptoms,” the Department said in their website.

The second patient meanwhile is woman in her 20s and is a resident of Hillsborough County. She recently traveled to northern Italy and just like the first case, is in stable condition and remains to be isolated.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said Florida's leadership in public health was shown when they first received the news regarding the presumptive positive case of COVID-19.

“Our county health departments, medical providers and all other partners in public health are well prepared to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” she said.

State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees meanwhile pointed that the Department is closely working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as local medical providers to ensure that the patients who have contracted COVID-19 get proper treatment.

Those who have been in contact with them will be ensured that they follow the necessary protocols to limit or stop the spread of the virus.

“Our epidemiological teams are among the best in the nation, and they are right now aggressively pursuing every potential lead during these critical early moments of this outbreak in Florida,” said Rivkees.

DeSantis on the other hand assured that threat to the public is low, but they are anticipating that more will test positive and have taken additional action to help contain the virus, according to CNN.

The state previously investigated four people who may have COVID-19 and placed 152 more under monitoring.

Around 700 people were also placed under strict watch after returning from “high-risk” areas.

RELATED STORIES
Coronavirus Florida