President Trump on Thursday said he hoped the nation and its economy would be opening up “very, very soon, I hope.” The same day, Gov. Ron DeSantis raised the possibility that schools would reopen in Florida later this spring “even if it’s for a couple of weeks.” Still on the same day, a projection by the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, which are part of Trump’s administration, warned of a renewed spike in coronavirus cases 100 and 150 days out from the time when shelter-in-place orders are issued, if those orders are lifted after 30 days.
At the same time, local officials–Flagler County Emergency Management Chief Jonathan Lord and Flagler Health Department Chief Bob Snyder–are insisting that, as Lord put it Thursday, “We’re still on the upper swing, we’re not over this yet,” with the peak of the epidemic in Florida expected in the next two weeks, and the downswing being no less serious than the upswing, since it still means more hospitalization, more critical cases and more deaths. That’s been the experience in every place Covid-19 has taken a toll, and with few places spared.
“If we stop doing those things we’re going to go right back to peaking again,” Lord said, echoing the Homeland Security document even before it was revealed. “If I was a betting person I would assume we would not see school reopen in May either, and if we do, it won’t be the first of May.”
“We’re so much better off than the other counties, well, of course that has a lot to do with our size,” Snyder said on WNZF this morning, and a lot to do with people heeding “the advice of all of us to just stay put and stay home. We believe it’s working in our community.” In an interview this evening, he said: “It’s the virus that’s going to dictate the timetable for when we relax the restrictions we’re currently abiding by.”
By Friday morning, Florida had recorded 17,531 cases of confirmed Covid-19, with 42 of them affecting Flagler residents and two non-residents who were confirmed in Flagler. Flagler Beach now has three confirmed cases, so does Bunnell.
The number of new cases is not rising as it had been, but appears to have plateaued in the range of 1,100 to 1,200 new cases per day. In the state, 390 people have died, one of them a Flagler resident. The state reports 2,360 total hospitalizations. The Department of Health figures show six hospitalizations affecting Flagler cases. The figure is cumulative, meaning that it includes residents who were hospitalized and have either been discharged or, in one case, died.
The department is not releasing a figure that would specify how many people are currently hospitalized. But according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration, the state has 33 percent available hospital-bed capacity overall, with AdventHealth Palm Coast reporting 34 percent capacity at last count. Only one county in Florida–Gulf, population 16,000–has not recorded a confirmed Covid-19 case.
The largest spike of cases yet in Flagler-Palm Coast was on Thursday, with seven cases confirmed just that day (six had been confirmed on April 1), though the figure appears more striking than it really is: epidemilogists have assumed all along that the virus is much more prevalent than the number of confirmed cases show, and that the more testing is conducted, the more cases will show, especially on the upswing of the contagion. Among the cases confirmed Thursday, the youngest is a 32-year-old woman, the oldest a 67-year-old man. In all seven cases, it is either unknown whether the individuals’ infections were travel-related or it is certain that it was not, indicating that all the cases were likely the result of community transmission. That is, the virus was contracted from another person locally.
Testing has ramped up in the state and is ramping up locally, with a drive-up testing location run by AdventHealth in Daytona Beach starting today, and a drive-up testing location run by Flagler County Emergency Management, the health department and AdventHealth in Palm Coast expected to start sometime next week, with priority testing for first responders, health workers and people over 65. So far in Flagler, the department of health has confirmed that 595 tests have been administered, including 74 at AdventHealth Palm Coast.
About 10 Flagler Health Department staffers are monitoring an unknown number of residents. That figure used to be disclosed. It hasn’t been disclosed recently, locally, though statewide 13,300 people have or are being monitored by health officials.
“We have plenty of options,” Lord said. “There’s a lot of folks on social media saying there’s not enough testing going on. I would say as of this morning, that is no longer a fair statement.” He said people without underlying conditions or no symptoms should not seek tests. “As long as you have a symptom, I don’t care if it’s a little cough or a fever or you have chest congestion, there are tests that will test you. You just may have to make a little effort, make some calls, if you’re going to a doctor or urgent care center, or you can do that drive-up one down at the Speedway.”
One of those options is the drive-up testing site Emergency Management is preparing at the Palm Coast campus of Daytona State College, the mechanics of which Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland detailed this morning on WNZF as she explained what company was behind the tests themselves.
Holland introduced Tony Hoffman, CEO of Palm Coast-based Diagnostic Solutions Laboratories, one of 41 approved labs for Covid-19 testing. Holland said Hoffman “really wanted to make an impact right here in his hometown, and wanted to offer these tests locally.” So local city and hospital officials put the initiative in motion with the health department and the county to offer the testing locally.
The lab is based in the Atlanta area, though its business, sales and administrative operations are in Palm Coast. “We do molecular testing routinely,” Hoffman said. “So we felt an obligation to kind of change gears with our lab and start performing these tests as best we could to help in this pandemic.” The turn-around time for the tests will be 24 hours, and the company will input results directly into the Department of Health’s dashboard system. The quick turn-around is key to more effectively enact a health plan for those who are positive, and to release those who aren’t. Diagnostic Solutions will also be working with other local clinics to facilitate testing.
Nationwide and more regionally the conversation is beginning to shift to the steps beyond the immediate emergency and the stay-at-home orders.
Flagler County schools have been in session through remote education, reaching 99 percent of the district’s 13,000 students, Superintendent Jim Tager said this morning, and door-to-door visits for those who have not been electronically connected. The district has failed to make contact with just 39 students, Tager said–with staffers still seeking to track down those 39. No one has been laid off in the district.
“The biggest thing I probably hear about now is, what about graduation,” Tager said. “Certainly that is something that we’ve all experienced, and it’s one of the things that I pushed and have a lot of support from our faculty, staff and community. So we want to do something for our seniors. What it looks like yet I’m not exactly sure. We had an interesting press conference with the governor yesterday, that there may be some hope if we flatten the curve of getting kids back to school. But we are scheduled for graduation may 28. It’s still on our calendars. We are looking at the option of having it like we always have it, at the Ocean Center, and thinking creatively for other solutions as well, or we can do some kind of celebration for kids where they would be safe and not necessarily virtual. We want to have something that our families can participate in, and remember.”
He finished on a note of caution: “No promises, but we are working on that.”
Tager was referring to DeSantis’s hope-raising comments during his news conference Thursday–hope-raising to students, perhaps, but concerning to many officials as well.
“This particular pandemic is one where, I don’t think nationwide there’s been a single fatality under 25. For whatever reason it just doesn’t seem to threaten, you know, kids,” DeSantis said. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control reports that as of today, five people younger than 25 have died of the disease. There is no question that younger people are at far lesser risk of developing complications or dying from Covid-19, but the that doesn’t mean younger people aren’t carriers of the very contagious virus. One reason behind school closures has been to limit the movement of children as carriers who could bring the virus back to their parents or grandparents, causing more dire consequences. With children in schools, it also means resuming parental or guardian movement to and from school on a large scale, as well as the resumption of movement by throngs of school staffers, many of them older, making social distancing in the circumstances more difficult.
On Friday, the New York Times obtained new modeled projections by the departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services that conclude that stay-at-home orders, including school closures, have been very effective at reducing the rate of infection of coronavirus. But the projections, dated April 9, foresee another serious spike in the need for ventilators–a barometer of severe Covid-19 cases–beginning 100 days after shelter-in-place orders are issued, and peaking at 150 days. The spike is projected only if 30-day shelter-in-place orders are relaxed, as Trump suggested may be the case, and as DeSantis suggested may be the case with a possible resumption of school.
Shelter-in-place order, however loose in Florida, have led to a surge in constituent communications critical of local officials, especially regarding beach closures. County commissioners, city commissioners in Flagler Beach and county and city administrators have been the target of such emails. And this morning on WNZF, Snyder, the health department chief, read one from a constituent: “Keeping our Florida beaches closed is a serious government overreach. It’s wrong and you know it’s wrong. No government agent can infringe on my First Amendment rights to peaceably assemble. If you think a law is going to keep people from ever dying, you’re deluded with your own self-importance as most bureaucrats tend to get when intoxicated on their power. Regrettably, people die. The true statistics show that the flu virus typically kills tens of thousands of people each year, as does automobile accidents. The majority of people that die from the 19 virus have underlying conditions. They are dying with 19, not from 19. Grow some testicular fortitude, and state the true facts and open up our state. Stop playing god.” (David Ayres, host of the show, asked Snyder for the name. “We’ll show you after the show,” Gretchen Smith, the health department’s public information officer, told him. The department has not complied with a public record request for the email or Snyder’s response.)
The person writing Snyder restates numerous fallacies that public health officials have been struggling against throughout the Covid-19 emergency, starting with the claim that laws cannot keep people from dying: absent stay-in-place orders, the coronavirus emergency, according to one model by the Department of Homeland Security’s April 9 projection, would have infected 195 million Americans and killed over 300,000. The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which produces one of the models state and federal officials rely on and cite most, shows similarly grimmer death tolls across the country without social distancing and shelter-in-place orders.
The comparison with the flu, repeated several times by the president, is inaccurate: health experts–and Covid-19’s epidemiological testament–point to a deadlier and more contagious disease, without a vaccine or treatment, with a higher rate of infection, a longer incubation period, a hospitalization rate 10 times higher than the seasonal flu, and a mortality rate significantly higher than the seasonal flu (from 0.1 to 0.2 percent for the flu, compared to 1.5 percent to 4.5 percent for Covid-19). Millions of Americans live with and manage their underlying conditions. Illnesses may aggravated them. But Covid-19’s opportunism and lethality is such that it is directly responsible for the deaths of thousands. The global toll so far has exceeded 100,000, almost a fifth of them in the United States, where cases will exceed half a million today or tomorrow.
Though the political and logistical response to the virus has been wanting at many levels, by most accounts the last thing that has lacked among public health officials and others battling the pandemic in trenches (with calls for a national monument to honor them) has been “testicular fortitude,” though the fact may be difficult to grasp for those managing immunity or indifference to the indignities of Covid-19.
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Veteran says
Increased positives due to increased testing. It’s not rocket science!
Cynthia says
Whoever it was that said “these people have underlying health problems and are dying ‘with’ Covid19 they are not dying ‘of’ covid19,” is clearly not a medical professional. People who have underlying conditions are not dying of them anymore than someone who is 65 and older is automatically dying. That is ridiculous and not logical not to mention medically inaccurate. People can live a normal lifespan with any number of underlying health issues and not be actively dying. One could argue that everybody is dying since once were born we are all headed toward death. I doubt he was being philosophical but rather just a know-it-all jerk. People are dying OF covid19 and frequently quite quickly and painfully with much suffering. Certainly before their time. I wonder if the guy who suggested that we should just have our freedom to congregate and let ‘em die since they’re dying already, would feel the same if he himself or someone he loved was taken by Covid19.
A Concerned Observer says
I can deal with the conflicting statements among politicians at all levels. It is an unfortunate reality of the beast, compounded by the parochial interests from all sides of the incumbents and candidates alike and their overwhelming need to be re-elected. We are all in uncharted territory here and no one wants to be the one holding the bag in the end; if there is an end. Their attitude is further fanned by those who like the sound of their own voice or are looking for someone, ANYONE to blame it all on. I can only guess the final number of the countless lawsuits that are surely to come out of all this. As usual, only the lawyers will come out ahead.
My real fears are twofold. Where did this virus come from and how can we expect it to go away without a working cure for those afflicted and a vaccine for those yet to be affected? I vaguely remember stories in the TV news identifying the supposed initial cause of this vires to be from people in china eating bat soup or some strange critter resembling a cross between an armadillo and an artichoke. I for one hope I am never that hungry. I remember at the time visualizing Wuhan as being some poor, backward little Chinese hamlet sparsely populated by local farmers wearing traditional bamboo Coolie hats, walking behind water buffalos tending to rice patties. Wuhan could not be farther from that. It is more modern than any US city and is about as sparsely populated as New York City. See https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3047426/explained-why-wuhan-so-important-chinas-economy-and-potential Additionally, is our overwhelming disparity of deaths from the coronavirus (over 5 US citizens to 1 Chinese) because of the forced Draconian containment measures taken in China that would never be tolerated in the US or can the deaths in China being that overwhelmingly miss reported? Will we ever know?
If we are to survive this crisis, we must accept some loss of individual freedoms and bear a little discomfort for a while. We must stop hording supplies. We must come together as one country as we did in 1941 if we are to come out of this stronger than when we went in as we did in 1945. Our enemy today is very strong but as one single force, we canal prevail. Rather than loudly proclaiming someone to blame, be a small part of the larger solution rather than a large part of the problem. You won’t die because you can’t go to the beach or to a bar for a while, but you can most certainly can surly die from it. Worse yet, you may also take your loved ones or several other innocent people with you.
Sherry says
WOW! Just WOW! FOX Cult mindless “talking points” on steroids! An attitude that endangers us all!
“Keeping our Florida beaches closed is a serious government overreach. It’s wrong and you know it’s wrong. No government agent can infringe on my First Amendment rights to peaceably assemble. If you think a law is going to keep people from ever dying, you’re deluded with your own self-importance as most bureaucrats tend to get when intoxicated on their power. Regrettably, people die. The true statistics show that the flu virus typically kills tens of thousands of people each year, as does automobile accidents. The majority of people that die from the 19 virus have underlying conditions. They are dying with 19, not from 19. Grow some testicular fortitude, and state the true facts and open up our state. Stop playing god.”
Danm50 says
In Flagler hardly anyone had masks at Publx Belle Terre. People are not taking it seriously ENOUGH. WEAR the mask and keep your distance.
Not important says
But so many of us are being declined unemployment. As soon as I can I will relocate from this state that as no respect for it residents.
Fatima says
I will not send my kids to school till I know for sure they will be safe. We have so many Course ship coming to Florida with so many sick people. Everyday there are more people with the virus. I will keep my family safe I am a single mom and I will not take the chance.
Jimbo99 says
Same reporting system that is based on an unreliable test kit ? 1 of 6 COVID-19 Positive testers actually does have COVID-19, That leaves the 5 of those 6 as a “false positive”, which means of those that tested positive the individual actually does not have COVID-19. Those in the healthcare system are making big money on just the testing. The test kit, based upon those true positive results is less than 17 % accurate. When as much money is involved, would any of us trust others to not contaminate test sample collections ? Hey, it’s not like fraud & abuse has never happened in healthcare before ? One of our current Senators, a former Governor of FL, was CEO of a very large healthcare insurance corporation that went bankrupt from scandal. Why is it that some folks always end up being at ground zero, when things like this happen ? It’s almost like the arsonist that just happens to have been in the woods at the time when the forest fire was started ?
https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/31/covid-19-overcoming-testing-challenges/
Al says
Explain to me one more time why the golf courses are open but I can’t walk on the beach.Thank you..stay safe
So frustrated says
The vulnerable people should self isolate so others can carry on. This lockdown stuff is driving people crazy. Too many people are out of work. If people can work from home, great, but we can’t continue month after month in lockdown. 12m people unemployed? It’ll double soon. I’m 51 and have stayed home for 30 days straight. My elderly dad in maine continues to go out (gloves mask yes but jeez he should stay home!). I haven’t allowed my adult kids home. They’re in 2 different states and also on lockdown for a month straight now. We are so lucky we can work from home. This lockdown needs to flip to where the vulnerable stay home. We will never return to normal otherwise. In the meantime they’re working on a vaccine. If I have to stay home until then so be it. But others can’t work from home so what do we do? Keep them unemployed until a vax is ready??? If you don’t have to go out, don’t. The essential workers need our help! We can help by staying home!
Sherry says
SHOCKING! You mean to say that “Billionaires” can’t just BUY their way around this virus and continue their hedonistic ways? But, then again this did not happen in the good Ole’ US of A.
A group of international vacationers who flew from London to the south of France in a private jet were turned away by French police after they landed.
French border police were notified on April 4 by the Marseille Provence Airport that an English company wanted to fly a jet from London to Marseille, carrying 10 passengers of Croatian, French, German, Romanian and Ukrainian nationality.
The passengers, seven men between the ages of 40 and 50 and three women who were “around 25,” were heading to Cannes, an official with the Marseille Provence Air Border Police told CNN.
France is under a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and foreigners entering French territory need to have an essential reason to do so under emergency rules, such as medical personnel coming as reinforcements for hospital staff, or individuals transporting medical equipment.
The police informed the airport that everyone but the French nationals (two men and one woman) would be denied entry, but the flight nonetheless landed at around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, the Air Border Police official said.
Shortly before the Embraer Legacy jet’s arrival, three helicopters from a luxury company from the region of Le Var had arrived at the airport, the official said.
The trip was organized by a Croatian national working in real estate and finance, the Air Border Police official said, adding that the man had rented the plane and three helicopters, as well as a villa in Cannes.
He told authorities he had “a lot of money” and wanted “to just pay a fine and go to Cannes,” the official told CNN.
The seven foreigners were refused entry into France by the border police, and nine passengers returned to London, including the three French nationals, while a Ukrainian passenger rented a plane to Berlin, the official said.
The encounter ended at around 7 p.m. local time, he added.
The Air Transport Gendarmerie issued a fine to the three helicopter pilots because they were traveling without a valid reason, the official said, as nonessential trips within France are not allowed amid the coronavirus restrictions.
The Border Police could not charge the passengers or the airplane pilots because they hadn’t yet legally entered French territory, the Air Border Police official said.
Ron says
What Florida does not need is the Governor allowing Vacation rental operations after two weeks of stoppage. This would only increase the number of Floridians infected by the Covid-19 virus.
Billy C says
What is galling is that the email writer talks about testicular fortitude and the first amendment but shows not even an inkling of concern for anyone else in the community besides himself. A dreaded scourge is spreading and you are worried about being about to go to the beach? Lets get serious. People are dying and you are complaining about government implementing something to protect other citizens. The writer should be ashamed.
Shark says
That’s what happens when you have a t-rump lackey for governor. Didn’t postpone bikeweek & spring break. Left disney and the beaches open !!!!
Lisa says
Instead of worrying about opening Up the beaches because of your rights. Why don’t you act like an American and help your neighbors who are truly worried about a virus that has no cure no vaccine and is literally being spread as fast as the common cold and killing how many innocent people because people cannot just stay home and stay safe and not spread it. Why don’t you put yourself to some use for the community instead of being selfish inconsiderate ignorant and stupid as to what is going on with the virus It is not only hurting the elderly but many many others. Do something for someone else instead of worrying about walking on a beach that will be There forever while the people with the virus won’t be.
ConstantlyAmazed says
How come there are never any stories about how many people who recovered ? I read a report that Tom Hanks just remotely hosted Saturday Night Live and if I’m not mistaken he and his wife both were diagnosed with COVID 19. He appeared healthy considering he also has an underlying health concern, type 2 diabetes.
Now we are being told to wear surgical type masks when we are outside to prevent spreading or contracting the virus. So why is we are still living in a shutdown society ? If we are all masked why are businesses and recreational attractions still closed ?
Sherry says
To those in our enormous “brain trust” who mistakenly think that all we need to do is wear a mask to stop the spread of this terrible virus. . . please try to understand that it is also spread by “TOUCH”. . . even when wearing gloves, and the virus can live for many hours, especially on hard surfaces like metal and glass, and it is not killed by cold. Think about that the next time you pop open that beer! Geez!