The coronavirus is not yet confirmed in any single individual in Flagler County, but the pandemic’s effects are already rippling through the ranks of local law enforcement, first responders and emergency medical personnel.
“This job is dangerous to begin with, and now we have an invisible enemy that they have to deal with also,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said late this afternoon as he described a situation that developed during the day and that now affects two of his deputies.
Staly is maintaining close phone contact with two deputies now in self-isolation following their exposure to potentially coronavirus-related conditions during a death investigation in the Hammock. The investigation involved the death of an elderly man who developed flu-like symptoms Wednesday, after contact with people from South Florida. His spouse has refused medical attention and is remaining at home. The two deputies will be tested in 48 hours, and meanwhile are working from home to the extent that they can, taking reports and the like. They only found out that the household required to be entered with protective measures after they responded to the call, even though the dispatch center had asked the screening questions.
Separately, EMPros, the Volusia County-based company that manages emergency departments in several cities in Volusia and Flagler, including at AdventHealth Palm Coast, said several of its employees and AdventHealth Palm Coast employees are in self-quarantine.
“As you know,” the EMPros Board of Director told local and regional AdventHealth leadership in an email late this afternoon, “recently an asymptomatic EMPros advanced practice clinician at AdventHealth Daytona Beach was quarantined and this morning an asymptomatic EMPros physician and Assistant EMS Medical Director for all EMS agencies in Flagler County was placed under quarantine as were multiple AdventHealth Palm Coast employees. An ad hoc meeting of the EMPros Board of Directors was held [] today and we have identified several areas of opportunity to prevent further similar events as well as [Emergency Department] efforts that can be undertaken to mitigate risk to our patients, staff, hospitals and communities.”
Staly said the hospital has instructed his deputies not to bring Covid-19 patients to the hospital unless they are suffering from other serious medical conditions.
EMPros has requested that AdventHealth institutes a series of “pandemic management” measures.” Those include “No visitors apart from one parent for a pediatric patient, one advocate if there is a special needs patient, or one visitor if there is a patient death,” according to the Board of Director’s email. ” If placed under quarantine, asymptomatic EMPros physicians and advanced practice clinicians will be tested for Co-SARS-2 at 5 days (average time from exposure to symptom onset) and return to work if negative. Masks will be worn by these previously monitored individuals at all times upon return. Should these individuals become symptomatic, they will self-report and be re-quarantined.” (Co-SARS-2 is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.)
Protocols for directing patients to tents away from the Emergency Department are under development, and “All EMPros physicians and advanced practice clinicians will be placed on mandatory standby due to the current state of emergency and prohibited from traveling outside of the local community to ensure availability,” the email states.
The death investigation in the Hammock was an example of in-the-trenches challenges for deputies well before an individual would get to a health care facility. But it, too, illustrates how responders are adapting to uncharted situations.
“We responded to a death investigation in the Hammock Community,” Staly said. “A deputy and a corporal entered the home, and during the investigation, concerns were developed that the individual who is now deceased and his wife had flu-like symptoms. Before the deputies were dispatched, we have protocols we’ve implemented in the communications center to ask certain questions. But it requires the honesty and forthcoming of the caller in answering those questions accurately.”
In this particular case, the caller was not as forthcoming as necessary, so deputies entered the home without protective gear, as they would have otherwise. “After the caller answered no to the first question, the protocol said you stop there and start providing life-saving information. which is what our 911 operator did.” As deputies at the scene started asking questions, “The wife gave information that gave us concerns for the well-being of my deputies.”
A physician does not believe that the deceased man or the wife had Covid-19, the sheriff said. The deceased had not exhibited any fever, for example, one of the more common signs of Covid-19. But the concern was the connection with visitors from South Florida in the days before the illness presented. “In an abundance of caution for my team and for individual employees, we have asked them to self-quarantine and to work from home, so they can handle calls that we send to them where they can take reports over the phone, if you will,” Staly said. “There is a 48-hour incubation period, so no testing can be done right now. The earliest that can be done is Tuesday midday. The results will supposedly come back pretty quick, and we will know whether they were exposed or not.” Meanwhile, Staly told the two deputies to skip the chain of command and get in contact with him whenever necessary.
The medical examiner took the body of the deceased man to St. Augustine.
Flagler County still has not produced a positive case of Covid-19 even as cases have been multiplying elsewhere in the state, reaching 100 overnight.
Asked of any developments today, Bob Snyder, who heads the Flagler County Health Department, said he was “not able to say much about it or confirm one way or the other. Pretty strict protocol, wherever the case is, wherever it’s coming from, it needs to be confirmed by the epidemiology team at the Department of Health” in Tallahassee, he said. “We’re under strict rules.” He was aware of the medical response today in the Hammock, but did not elaborate.
Asked about Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s decision to disclose the number of people under observation, by town–not just the number of people who have tested positive for the virus–Snyder said: “It’s that balance between the public’s right to know versus the privacy and confidentiality of potential clients and patients and I disagree with his approach, because approaches like that can lead to unnecessary panic and dread, and we need to be strong at times like this. There are professionals who know what they need to do.”
“It’s any time now that we can expect a patient from Flagler who is confirmed” positive for coronavirus, Snyder said. When that happens, the epidemiology team at the department will get in gear and trace the likely origin of the infection, the goal being to limit widespread infections. “The city and the county and all organizations that I have heard about, many are doing the right thing in canceling and postponing events,” Snyder said. “That social distance aspect of public health is what’s going to end this sooner rather than later.”
The Palm Coast Fire Department starting Monday will no longer be joining Flagler County Fire Rescue in most medical calls that don’t involve life-threatening situations. The aim is to limit the exposure of firefighter-paramedics and limit the number of quarantines or sicknesses that may develop, and keep personnel on the line.
Staly has the same concerns for his ranks. He said that he’s expanded Covid-19 guidelines to all calls coming in to the 911 center, whether medical or law enforcement related. He said that may sound draconian to callers, but the questions must be answered for the safety of all involved.
The Department of Health has agreed to let the 911 center know, when those cases are confirmed, where the confirmed cases are in order that personnel dispatched to the scene are appropriately prepared. That does not include the self-quarantined. “We’d love to have that information, but without that information is why we’re asking those questions in our communication centers after getting a call,” Staly said. (The agency will release a video public service announcement detailing the new approach on Monday.) “This is uncharted territory, and we are trying to protect the first responders and the community. We need the community to be honest with this and understand why we are asking those questions,” the sheriff said.
There are other challenges: the sheriff’s office has 600 masks on hand, but none of the masks are of the standard required in this particular emergency. The office is awaiting a shipment. Protocols have changed at the detention facility as well, with medical screening stepped up to include coronavirus issues.
But the sheriff is limited in that regard: with AdventHealth declining to take covid-19 patients, “should we get an inmate with Covid-19 and they do not have a medical emergency, the only choice we have is put them in isolation in the jail, and we only have three isolation cells.” It’s unclear what the facility will do should there be more cases than it can handle.
Craig says
So they are asking us to be open and honest and answer special questions when we call emergency services.
But when it comes to giving us information about the infection and how far it has spread and where there are people being monitered they dont want to be open and honest with us.
NO TRANSPARECNY CAUSES PANIC, THE TRUTH DOES NOT
Well... says
I disagree with not telling the public. People are more likely to take the necessary precautions if they know a case is near them. My mother-in-law is 76. Good health with only a minor health issue. She refuses to engage in social distancing or taking any extra precautions because there are no cases near her. She is someone that should take this seriously but isn’t and when the time comes, it may be too late. Knowledge is power and that power can protect a vulnerable public. The rest of us have rights too. No one is asking for names or addresses just a number. A number violates nothing.
Larry Hilyard says
You are right on. I am 71 and my wife is 68 and we are taking this VERY seriously.
Wendy says
I absolutely disagree with Bob Snyder, and support the direction Mike Chitwood is following. When you keep information from people, they are going to start assuming that things are far more terrible than they are being told, and panic more. More information helps people to make more informed, less panicky decisions about how to conduct their lives, and the extent of precautions to take during this time.
PCRealist says
Flagler County and all its ranks are a joke. They will do anything to ensure the county “looks good.”
There is without a doubt cases of coronavirus in the county. But our county leaders and medical leaders don’t want to test and they don’t want to release relevant information.
How pathetic.
Yvonne says
We knew it was going to happen. The city was in denial about testing people, they turned people away that needed testing. Now you got cops and hospital staff that is showing signs of the virus. Think how many people they come in contact with in just one day. I no longer have any doubt that it is going to spread. I worry for all of us.
Disgusted says
It seems Flagler County is not prepared to handle this type of situation and The Florida Dept of Health is making matters worse. When people are having symptoms whether one, two or all symptoms and being turned away from being tested because a simple no they havent travelled response doesnt follow the narrative in an outdated protocol you will end up with the community not being able to say whether or not they may have the virus… duhh. They are trying to seek medical attention and being declined and told they dont have it so it isnt so much that the community or any person in the community is lying or not being honest, its the protocols need to be changed and the question of travel or being in contact with someone that has traveled is outdated at this point and continuing to follow this line of questioning is failing the system, medical personnel, first responders and the rest of the population but hey lets continue to follow it and listen to FDOH. There is nothing wrong with disclosing information as to how many in a county, town or city has it, that isnt giving the patients personal info, name or address despite what Mr. Snyder says, for example saying there are 3 cases in Palm Coast, 1 in Bunnell, 1 in the Hammock etc, that says nothing about who or an exact address so his logic is flawed. Its literally stating a number for others to be aware and take better precautions because not knowing actually creates more panic and also allows people to feel more nonchalant about it or as in the emergency personnel today, it puts others at risk so Mr. Snyder really sbould re evaluate his stance on not informing the public or disclosing pertinant information to the public. This isnt the time to worry about Flagler Counties reputation or how it looks or appeals to anyone and that is one of the biggest problems here, the officials are always worried and either minimalize things or hide them because they dont want a tarnished image, well that sort of thinking will allow something like this to spread rampantly and people will die due to neglect so how do yall think your image will be then? It seems The Florida Dept of Health along with the local health depts are trying harder to cover up cases and its just causing more issues than necessary and people not getting the medical attention they may desperately need. Hopefully the wife of the man that died went and tried to get medical attention and asked to be tested and was declined, if he comes back positive I hope she can sue the shit out of the county and the FDOH. Hopefully she will request a private test be done, one with her own medical professional because more than likely the county and government will try to hide or cover it up knowing they failed them, they witheld testing which resulted in neglect and wrongful death. Smh. The officials saying we dont want people to panic so we are witholding info, umm people are panicking, open your eyea, pull your heads out from the sand or wherever they may be. Have yall not been out to the stores? Shelves are empty, people are hoarding goods and stocking up, people are in fear because the unknown is much scarier than the known but hey continue to withold and cover up but expect the community to be forthcoming, if thats not hypocritical. As for the hospital turning away anyone with the virus.. what does anyone expect from that hospital? Lol. The place is a joke, they arent equipped to handle much of anything in the community and focused on the elderly only. They dont have a pediatric unit. Families have to travel to another county for proper treatment for their children. They focus on Cardiac and Cancer. The local hospital is no different than a walk in clinic for any family in the county. Besides if you have contracted the virus youd be better off going to another hospital for treatment anyway (hell youd probably have better treatment at the vets office) so dont even waste your precious time at this hospital. I suppose the community should stop contributing to the local hospital since they decide to turn patients away because they couldnt spend any funds to get prepared and better equipped to treat the community in which they make their money. I suppose ethics arent necessary nor the medical code of conduct during state of emergencies or pandemics right.
deb says
Its not just isolated to this county. Every city and little town in the US is impacted that has people that are responsible for public safety. It could happen any day to anyone that comes in contact with a person that traveled aboard. Its not just about Flagler County. Pretty darn scary when you think about it.
Sad Times says
Where is the guidance from Flagler County? Where is the guidance from Palm Coast? Why has Ms Holland not come out with processes and procedures for fighting this pandemic? I hunted around for information online. It appears that our government is relying only on the CDC and the individual organizations for any action.
What about the people who do not have access to the internet? How do they get information? Not everyone is on Facebook!
I want to know what the specific plans and guidance are for we, the citizens of Palm Coast!! Why can’t our “head honchos” act like leaders?
Sad Times says
My goodness…what do you mean…the hospital isn’t taking Coronavirus patients? What are they to do? How/where does a person get tested?
Once again….where are our processes and procedures? We citizens deserve more specific guidance….and not just online.
Linda says
There are testing sites 0utside the hospital. They are not admitting Corona Virus patients unless they have a condition that requires hospitalization. The corona virus does not require you to be hospitalized. You can stay home and self quarantine there. For most people the symptoms are no worse than a cold.
Empathy says
For most “healthy” people it may just be a cold or regular flu symptoms But, a lot of people have serious underlying health
conditions that others are not aware of. This is called invisible illness such as many of the autoimmune illnesses and many others too numerous to mention. Healthy people can afford to have a cavalier attitude regarding it. That is the reason it has spread all over the world and how it will spread here. Please try and understand not everyone is blessed with good health.
Read a little bit says
It’s very simple and a widely accepted process, if you bring contaminated people to the ED, then the ED becomes a decon location and no longer an emergency medical department. It contaminates the personnel, the space and equipment and the ED should be reserved for emergency medical use, not decon.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see tents or rv’s or mobile offices being set up outside the ED for triage to keep the contamination of the counties only ED to a minimum. It’s not about treating one sick person with a low risk of mortality but about being able to keep in operation to serve the county.
Doug says
I have a better idea. Turn off your TV or watch something other than a channel dedicated to hyping up a virus that isn’t as bad as the annual flu season. The media feeds off of you weak-minded people.
Stretchem says
@Doug, don’t be a f&&%$g dope. You’re TWENTY TIMES more likely to die from Covid-19 than from the common flu. There’s no vaccine nor treatment available, unlike the common flu.
I think we’ve found the local village idiot.
MAGAnot says
How’s the whole MAGA thing working out now? The Great Orange Leader of MAGA that axed the pandemic response force days after coming into office.
No, guaran-dern-tee you everyone one of those bald headed pot bellied white men in that room voted in the absolute dumbest person mankind can possibly conjeur. Now they’re all sitting around eating their boogers trying to figure this all out without guidance, but still can’t wait to tune into their daily recording of F&F when they home!
Don says
operate at an altitude LOWER than your peers.
use high, squeaky voices to trick the virus
-complain and cry a lot, the virus hates that.
Sarah says
It’s not the hospitals fault or the county’s. They don’t have the tests to give people, regardless of what the president is telling you. They’re turning people away for tests because they just do not have them and need to save them for the people who are really, really sick. I agree there should be more transparency but when it comes to the hospital and it’s staff , cut them some slack. They’re just as frustrated as everybody else and on the frontlines with no tests, no masks, and no good information themselves. It’s not the county who is dropping the ball, it’s the country.
Col Bob says
I have mask…. I have Hand Sanitizer….. I have gloves….. I got tested yesterday at a Hospital in Volusia County.
Its called “PREPPING FOR DISASTERS”. I was ready for this 3 months ago. You people better get a GRIP on things and settle down before you lose your minds.
Health Care Worker says
I am a Health Care worker. This is not a Flager County issue. This is a United States issue. There are not enough tests to test people. We are only allowed to test people who meet strict criteria.
Even those we can test can take up to 5 days to get the results because their is no testing reagent and a backlog.
People with mild symptoms are flooding the Hospital. There is no cure. There is nothing to do for you medically. If you have mild symptoms just stay home and quarantine yourself and you won’t spread it to everyone in the hospital. There is nothing to be done for you anyway and they will tell you the same at the hospital.
There are not even enough supplies masks, gloves etc for the health care workers to have.
We have the ability to get the World Health Organization year months ago and the Trump administration turned it down. Now we don’t have tests. We don’t have anything.
This is a whole country issue. Stay at home. Social Distancing. We all need to stay safe.
PeachesMcGee says
For the few of you that feel Flagler County is lacking in medical resources, information dissemination, and overall care of its citizens, I suggest you move. Preferably tonight if possible.
Italy is wonderful this time of year.
Karen says
Although i agree the whole country has a problem ans the the president completly dragged his feet on this,
I find your comment to be false aa far as getting gloves and masks because the Firefighters in Flagler county have plenty of both because they were responsible enough to order them in a timely manner and not wait till the last minute.
We all saw this coming months ago. NO EXCUSE!
Don says
Oh No…..We’re all going to die !!!!!
Mikki says
I noticed that all the kids now are forced to go to the library and parents are now at the library in palm coast, that place is HOpping!! with germs. Can someone explain that? Doesn’t look like a nice clean germ free place and now EVERYBODY is there
! Why?
Mary Fusco says
If germs are a problem ,don’t go there!! Every day, parents send their kids to school sick. They load them up with tylenol and OTC meds to mask their symptoms. Bottom line is that they are sick and they can pass their germs onto little Johnny or Jane who can then bring them home to a newborn, parents that have weak immune systems or grandparents. People don’t believe in staying home when they are sick today. It takes a government shutdown of Broadway, movie theaters, restaurants, etc. etc. to force idiots to stay home.
Concerned Citizen says
Here’s something to think about.
We have an election coming up. Hell Primaries are just around the corner. How will our right to vote be affected? Voting polls are busy and cramped places. What happens when you are quarentined? Does your right to vote get tossed out? Or is the supervisor of epections preparing for this as well.
If you think I’m making light of this I’m not. Voting is a very serious obligation to me. Even when I was over seas I made sure to vote. And it should be for you to.
Don’t let them take a fundamental right away under the guise of “public safety”.
LEENY says
EVERY ONE HAS HAD MONTHS TO SEND FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOTT AND A COUPLE WEEKS TO VOTE IN PERSON. JUST DO IT.
marlee says
Please…..PLEASE get the facts.
I can’t believe all the repeated rumors and all the “experts”here!
Sherry says
AGAIN. . . For those who are paranoid enough to think this “very contagious”, “very dangerous” virus is just media hype, or a Democratic party ploy to make the current administration look bad. . . STOP, just STOP IT!
“YOU” need to detach your self from the FOX cult and the disinformation and propaganda they are spreading! “YOU” need to listen to “MEDICAL EXPERTS” and STOP pretending (and posting) this is no worse than the annual flu ! Do you really think that even Republican governors would be closing all public schools if this were not a serious health issue? Do you really think trump would declare a national emergency if this were “not as bad as the annual flu season”?
The FACTS of this situation are NOT up for debate! Our community needs to come together and take care of one another as well as ourselves and our families. “Positive” suggestions and ideas. . . based on “factual” information are needed and welcome.
Sherry says
@Peaches. . . How very sad for you that in this humanitarian crisis you appear to be filled with fear and hate towards fellow citizens in our community. This is a time when we should all be opening our hearts and minds in a way that uplifts the best in our human nature. I will keep you in my mantra today, and ask others to pray for you in your time of obvious despair. Stay safe, Peaches, stay as healthy as possible, and reach for the stars. Sending a “virtual” hug, as you certainly appear to need one.
POed @Ur Shadiness says
As someone who is a Flagler County resident who is still in the workforce… Keeping the information away from the public to keep people from panicking does not work when we see people at our jobs who leave due to showing symptoms, when you talk to them they are told by their doctor “stay home” and don’t go to the hospital, and they are pretty sure they have it BUT CAN’T GET TESTED. Those two competing narratives are what is causing people to panic. It is making people angry. It is NOT in the public’s best interest. It just makes the County Dept of Health look like shady liars.
My other half has repeat lung infections due to his previous career as a first responder. His immune system is effed. He is in his 40s. My parents are in their 80s. We have all been in this community for 30+ years. We deserve better.