Dorothy Strickland had not taken the coronavirus emergency lightly. She was social distancing. She was washing her hands obsessively. She was using hand sanitizer. She hadn’t traveled, she hadn’t been on a cruise. The most that counted as travel recently was a trip to Publix from the home in Flagler Beach she’s owned with her husband Carey for 20 years. Not too long ago her friend Suzie Johnston remembers sitting with her seaside, expressly at a distance.
“She was paranoid just like everybody else and practicing social distancing,” Johnston says, remembering their last day together two weeks ago. “She was not taking it lightly. She had already decided she wasn’t going back to the grocery store. Everything was going to be Instacart from then on. She was taking precautions. But the virus is the invisible monster.”
Late this afternoon, Dorothy Strickland, who had just turned 70–a vital, sun-drenched 70: “I’m 39, she was my really good friend being 70, so she could hang with a 39-year-old,” says Johnston–died of Covid-19 in the intensive care unit at Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach. She is Flagler County’s first person to die of the disease, one of the 20 who have been confirmed to have it so far in the county, one of the 215,000 who have been infected across the country, and one of almost 5,000 to die of it so far.
“She’s the Best Person I have ever met and the hardest person I will ever say goodbye to,” her husband wrote on Facebook earlier today, when he was still hoping for a miracle. He had not been allowed to be with her all week. He was allowed to convey a Do Not Resuscitate order. But Not to see her. He was not allowed to say goodbye in person. He had to do so by video conference earlier today, his wife in a coma, and the person enabling the video conference still in the room at the hospital. It’s not clear how, or whether, Carey will be allowed to conduct a normal funeral. Nothing is normal anymore. Nor was Dorothy’s frighteningly quick spiral from healthy woman to feverish to bedridden, to coma.
And even that, after an ordeal of trying to get tested.
An eternity ago, on March 14, on March 15, Dorothy felt fine, said Johnston, a long-time friend and neighbor and a local Realtor who’d spoken to her repeatedly and has stayed in close contact with her husband many times a day since. Monday, March 16, she developed a little fever. Tuesday it spiked: 103. Her sister is a nurse. She was monitoring her, monitoring her lungs especially: Dorothy had asthma, one of those underlying conditions that would normally prick up the ears of Covid-19-alert caretakers, as it did her sister.
Dorothy sought to be tested for the coronavirus. “The health department told her she didn’t fit the criteria to get tested,” Johnston says. There was disbelief, frustration, the sort of anger others in similar situations have been talking about publicly or to reporters, not at all just in Flagler but across the country. After all, the Centers for Disease Control’s criteria were the criteria. This was not an arbitrary local caprice.
Thursday, March 19, Dorothy decided to go up to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, where she was tested. But there was to be a five-day wait for the results–another reality that many people seeking the test have had trouble comprehending, that one dictated not only by what was at the time a limited number of testing labs, but another kind of shortage: the chemicals needed to complete the test have been in very short supply (in the nation whose leaders have nevertheless been boasting of having the very best health care system in the world.)
“I talked to her afterwards, she was like, Suzy, they were all in hazmat suits,” Johnston said today.
With no results, Carey took his wife to Halifax hospital on Saturday, March 21. She was tested immediately. She got the result back fast. She had tested positive. Carey texted Johnston and told her. She was hospitalized. She had developed viral pneumonia, according to her husband. She was on a ventilator either Sunday or Monday, Johnston–whose memories were occluded by sobs–couldn’t remember exactly. But Dorothy was intubated then, and could no longer speak.
The virus being what it is, virulent, without a cure, the outcome may have been impossible to defeat whether she had been tested or not, wherever she had been treated: she did not lack for all the care available, though none of it can possibly be consolation for what seemed unimaginable two weeks ago. More relevantly with regards to testing–even in the absence of a cure–it would have been far more difficult to trace how many people she would have infected in the days of not knowing, having gone as many days as she did untested, but contagious.
Johnston continued talking to her every day, then with the family. With Carey, who has endured the other side of a Covid-19 spiral–forced exile from the person he loves most, an experience thousands of family members are now experiencing across the country. “The moment she tested positive,” Johnston says, ” she had to leave and he has not been able to go back. Imagine it’s your spouse, you want to hold her hand throughout this whole thing and tell them 1,000 times how much you love them. You want to watch someone take their last breath on earth and their first breath in heaven. And you’re not able to do that.”
They were married 32 years. Dorothy was pronounced dead at 4:46 this afternoon.
Carey has tested positive for Covid-19.
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Anonymous says
That’s so sad, she should have been tested being that she had a fever and has asthma. My heartfelt condolences to her family & friends.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
This is terrible. She probably would have survived if some playing God hadn’t refused her a test. She was 70 and had asthma and a fever. Wasn’t that enough to warrant a test?
Aj says
Yes should definitely been tested but don’t blame our government maybe the county sorry for the lost to family and friends
Artemesia44 says
Of course we can ‘blame our government’ — we are a third world country in this epidemic. South Korea had their first case the same day we did — they immediately ramped up testing and quarantine and have controlled it. We did nothing while the infection burned through the country and got out of control. This is the biggest government fail in US history and less excusable in that it has continued for weeks. They didn’t just drop the ball in January and prepare (having earlier cut CDC funding, fired the pandemic control office, failed to restock supplies, closed international offices tasked with monitoring for pandemics AND ignored explicit warnings from the outgoing administration); they have continued to not manage or prepare — we still don’t have adequate PPE for health care workers or the population and we still don’t have adequate testing)
Testing might not have helped this woman survive — but it is possible that early oxygen treatment might have prevented the need to go to the ventilator — it has worked that way with many admitted in distress at U of Chicago Medical center. They have found that moderate pressure humidified oxygen saved 23 of 24 seriously ill patients from having to go on ventilators.
Cyrus says
What exactly would have the test have done?
What would that have accomplished?
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t have mattered.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
What would it have accomplished? She could have been treated for her symptoms before they advanced to pneumonia, for one thing. Secondly, there could have been early warning given to those with whom she had come into contact. So for you to say “it wouldn’t have mattered,” I ask you, would you have been that cavalier if it had been you, or a member of your family? I think not.
HotWing says
There is no treatment. Only basic care can be provided even when caught early. Sadly.
Lynnl says
Try looking up herbal medicine.
Reader says
It would have mattered. It did matter. Early treatment of this virus can make the difference between life and death not to mention the fact that they could have prevented or treated the pneumonia before it got this far.
Linda Bronis says
A test would have gotten her earlier treatment, medications, oxygen, instead of being sent home
Tammu says
It breaks my heart to have read how her husband wasn’t able to even be there with her. Condolences to her family and friends. She sounds like an amazing person. Full of life and love.
Praying says
Fly High Miss Dorothy. I didn’t know you but this story paints a beautiful picture of the person you were. You will be missed by many! I pray God gives your husband the strength to pull through this horrible virus. Your memory will forever live on! ❤️
D1234 says
Such a sad story. But this is the new normal thanks to incompetent “leadership.”
Debra lee says
Amen
Yolo says
So true unfortunately.
Peter says
It is our government’s fault if TRUMP had not been a selfish pig thinking about his relection maybe people like Dorothy would be alive today
Nenemalo says
Seems no one at all is being tested in Flagler County. Sad and unacceptable to send people home that are seeking help and prolonging much needed care that may have saved her life.
Gh321 says
So sad. Everyone has to realize that there are dire shortages of tests and equipment. Medics are being told not to speak to press. If we dont stay home we are putting the docs. Nurses at risk. STAY HOME SAVE LIVES THIS IS REAL. Stop watching sugar coated news briefs
James Wilkinson says
Why didn’t she get a test? What about the question that the malaria drug Hydrocloro? (Spelling?) I heard it would help?exactly!
Nancy N. says
There are some small studies (a couple dozen patients if I remember right) suggesting Hydroxychloroquine MIGHT help but nothing definite. There’s certainly no evidence right now that it’s some kind of miracle cure or anything, but people are chasing anything that they think has any sliver of hope of working.
Sam says
This is just so sad 😞. She DID meet the criteria when she went to Advent Flagler: 103 fever, 70 years of age, chronic condition Asthma= High risk. What an injustice done to this lovely woman and her family. This better not ever happen again. Why did Advent deny her the test? Mrs Strickland sought help at three different hospitals and got no actual care until the third. Inexcusable. Unacceptable. I as a citizen of Flagler county am calling you out Advent. Here and now.
Eva Mowry says
I am joining you, Sam! It is inexcusable to think this woman may have died needlessly due to negligent delay in treatment!! So heartbreaking!
No says
Agreed 100 %! This is outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!
Flagler Beach Resident says
Prayers to her family.
Where does it say she went to Advent Flagler, must have missed that in the article?
Lisa says
It does not say she went to AdventHealth. It says she went to Flagler Hospital. So maybe you should correct your statement above as it doesn’t read that she even went to AdventHealth.
Bill says
The story says she went to Flagler hospital in St Augustine NOTHING about her going to the local hospital here in Flagler County.
Anne Jawthorne says
She was told by our health department that she didn’t qualify for a test. She went to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine where she was given a test but it takes 5 days. She then went to Halifax where she was tested and for quick results. It was the Flagler County Health Department that denied her the test.
Sara says
Dorothy, you will be missed! Life on earth will not be the same without you here!
Layla says
Dorothy blessed all who knew and loved her. She will never be forgotten.
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Oh my God
There are no words I can find to express the tears in my heart after reading this
Veteran says
She would have been tested immediately in Jacksonville. Sad.
Donna Mayes says
This is horrible! So sorry for this family! Heartfelt condolences!
Theresa says
Dee was a good friend of mine. She was such a sweet & beautiful person. I am so sad to hear about her passing. My heart goes out to Carrie. Those two were so much in love. She touched so many people’s lives in such a positive way. I am just in such shock cause she was so full of life & worked so hard. I loved her so much!
David Schaefer says
Flagler County just sucks. Someone needs to held accountable. RIP Mrs Strickland.
Heartbreaking and Infuriating says
What a disgrace and not surprising with the medical in Flagler County. Residents Beware! Unfortunately pretty much all knew it was a matter of time when the local hospital is a joke, the local government is a joke and havent taken anything serious or prepared since day 1. They were all too busy citing misinformation and making jokes. Hope the officials are proud of themselves. The loss of this woman unfortunately wont be the only heart wrenching, devastating loss, there will be plenty more and yall have your officials to thank! The Flagler County Health Dept should be held liable. Yes you can follow CDC guidelines however they arent law, they arent protocol, each facility can enact and enforce what they see fit based on guidelines but arent required to strictly abide by so they could have taken extra precaution especially given this woman was a high risk patient with underlying health issues so Flagler County Health Dept and the other hospitals failed and clearly neglected a patient which resulted in loss of life. But I bet all the officials have been tested and werent questioned right lol, make sure they are okay before anyone else is allowed. How is it that St. Augustine couldnt get results yet Halifax can a lot sooner? Is it because they are a Trauma Center? If so I suppose yall better do as advised on previous articles and take yourself or loved ones out of county and to a trauma center not a walk in clinic acting as a community hospital (community means they can provide for the community yet the local hospital isnt equipped to do so, where is the pediatric unit? Yet there are how many families living and part of the community?) You can change the name of the hospital just like you can spray fragrance in a restroom, doesnt hide anything just smells like shitrus. So sorry for Mr. Stricklands loss and the anguish he must feel. This story is heartbreaking and infuriating. He didnt even get to spend the final days with the love of his life, those fleeting moments robbed from him, how horrible and now he has been diagnosed as well. This article should be an eye opener to all residents to make some serious changes now.
Brian says
This IS a sad situation. However, the article does not mention AdventHealth in Flagler. She went to Flagler hospital in St Augustine and then Halifax where she unfortunately passed from this non-curable virus.
ShelbyJean Fawley says
Sam,,,
I have to agree with you on this one! Flagler hospital definatley dropped the Ball on this one! And They Should definatley have to pay for their Bad Judge-
Ment call in this Case!
And that poor husband not being able to go to her even while she was still awake is just beyond rediculous!! He’s already been in contact with her from the very start…. So,,, Why not let him say goodbye to her. That will be something he will probably “NEVER” get over! I know I woulda went in there if it was My Husband… I don’t care who wouldn’t a liked it!! That’s a Fact!!
To All the Family Members and Close Friends out there,. “I am Soooo Sorry for your Loss”!!!☹️😖😟😵
I only met her once just not 2 Long ago when I stopped by to talk to her about fixing my hair. She was Sooo friendly and ready to help me out right on the Spot! I can only imagine what an empty hole She’s going to leave in Flagler Beach. God Please Take care of Dorothy and her Family who must be beside themselves over this,
Amen,,,,,
ShelbyJean Fawley
Steve Ward says
Such a sad story in our County. Its porttrait being painted by those who betray us and continue to do so Every Evening on National TV in front of the World and God. May this dear womans memory of life and death not be in vain.
RIP
PB says
This is indeed sad. I am curious how a positive test changes anything besides the stats? There is no cure. Can anyone please explain?
Helen Siegel says
No test = no diagnosis = no treatment = people dying.
MB says
Getting tested allows you to know that you need to quarantine yourself from others. No cure as yet is right. She was cutting hair right up to the symptoms coming on. Unfortunately, that means she has possibly passed it on to her hair customers as well as anyone else she was around in close proximity. My heart goes out to her family. The problem with this virus is it goes respiratory quickly.
Sickening says
Well for starters a positive result allows a person to know they are infected and to isolate themselves completely so as not to put others at risk. If someone doesnt know then they are abiding by the stay at home order however they are still going to stores or in the public for essentials, they are still around those they live with where actually knowing they would not do those things. Second had she had a positive result when she first got a fever her and her husband would have known to go to the hospital immediately but not knowing, people are more likely to stay at home putting off any type of early medical intervention. As for the husband not being allowed to be with his wife and be robbed of his saying goodbye was unnecessary considering he lived with her, he was in close contact with her and as we know is also infected with the virus so the hospital not giving this man the right to be with her is ridiculous and absurd. As for Flagler County Health Dept and Flagler Hospital, they both dropped the ball and should have reprocussions especially when by denying this woman testing put others at risk in the community. Which again is part of the reason it is spreading like wild fire. The bs excuses that they cant test and get results quicker yet other facilities can is beyond backwards. The fact that all the higher ups have been allowed testing just shows the crooked ass ways of Flagler County. The “officials” really dont give a rats ass about their residents, its all about themselves and their pockets being lined.
Mary Fusco says
How did Flagler County drop the ball on anything? She originally went to Flagler hospital in St. Augustine and when the results took too long her husband took her to Halifax Hospital in Volusia County. The woman knew she was sick and yet continued to work. I have read the article several times and it NEVER said she went to Flagler Hospital in Palm Coast. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t take my dog there but she did not go there.
Me says
RIP Dorothy. No one, should be refused a test, where is the humanity in this world? Wonder now how many more are going to be in the same position Dorothy was? This is an absolute disgrace. Who would refuse someone that had all the symptoms they have been saying on tv for weeks, so why, why was she refused? Someone in the health care business sure let her down.
Dennis says
State/federal regional COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites: These sites typically have a lower threshold requirement for testing. If you are exhibiting respiratory symptoms or are a first responder/healthcare worker you can be tested at:
Lot J outside Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field: Before going, please visit https://www.coj.net/welcome/news to review the latest news release as to the status and requirements at this site.
Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center: Before going, please visit https:/ocfl.net/coronavirus to review the latest information as to the status and requirements at this site.
This is a crock of crap. Where is testing around here.
palmcoaster says
Yes Dennis “as long as supplies last” in your provided Jacksonville site:
Federal Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site to Open This Weekend for Seniors, Healthcare Professional, and First Responders
March 20, 2020
The free federally-sponsored drive-thru COVID-19 testing site will open Saturday, March 21, at TIAA Bank Field in parking lot J. The site will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for as long as supplies last.
Just all ridiculous just all the lies in National TV.
Well... says
It’s a shame because this woman didn’t have to die, not if she was treated promptly. Even though she was cautious, this sounds like an example of how “healthy” people can spread this unknowingly. Even though she did social distancing, an unabated sneeze can travel upwards of 27 feet. An unabated cough, can travel further than 6 feet. This virus lingers in the air up to 3 hours. I realize they told the American public masks would not protect us but I beg to differ with a little common sense–if they don’t protect civilians on the street, how do these same masks protect hospital workers? They didn’t want people hoarding them. Masks will help cut down on the inhalation of particles that linger in the air. It’s why they are “changing their tune” about whether or not masks help. People with underlying issues and older people should wear masks in public, even when not sick. Even a 5% chance of blockage is better than 0% chance.
I was refused a test as well because I had no “China” connection and I’ll never know if I had it or not, most likely. It took me 3 weeks to recover. I lost my sense of smell for a day. I had a fever off and on for 3 days, and was so cold I couldn’t warm up despite multiple layers of clothes and blankets. I had a dry cough and a sore throat. I was only mildly congested in my nose. My ears were clogged. I had the worst headache ever–it felt like someone was stabbing me all over my head, behind my eyes (this lasted for 3 weeks), and my neck killed. It hurt so much I couldn’t touch it and the pain radiated toward my spine and into my shoulders. I was winded walking 20 feet to the bathroom. All I wanted to do was sleep. I was out of breath, and I’m never out of breath. I couldn’t take deep breaths without coughing and even when the coughing somewhat stopped, I still couldn’t take a deep breath. My lungs hurt and I had random stabbing pains throughout my body. It was a slow build until I was hit with the worst. I assumed it was just a cold/allergies at first, but I never feel this way from those and I’ve had the flu before. Always with the flu, I have one day of awful and then I’m good to go, business as usual. I have zero underlying health conditions. I don’t have heart disease. I’m not immunocompromised. I don’t have asthma. I don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes (or pre-diabetes), high cholesterol, and so on. I have nothing, absolutely nothing, I’m not a smoker, or a drinker or a vaper, or a recreational drug user–I’m very vanilla but whatever I had took 3 very long weeks to recover from. Even when I had bronchitis (which I’ve only had twice in my life), I never felt as bad as I did from whatever this was.
The only way I’ll know is if they ever get their crap together and do what they say–get the antibody test out and rolling. Although, I feel it’ll be next year before they allow anyone to get it, you’ll have to meet a long list of BS criteria. There’s a reason why Germany, South Korea, Iceland, and other nations have better control than we do–they took it seriously and didn’t fluff it around as just another flu, or pray and it’ll go away, or warm weather will make it dissipate, or it’s a hoax to ruin the election, you know delusional thinking of madmen playing games with American lives. These countries acted, they tested as many people as possible and are still testing, and guess what, they have things pretty much under control. Yes, they still have cases, and yes people are dying there too, but not like the US. It’s an embarrassment we are so far behind chasing this virus instead of in front of it, like we could’ve been if only they took it seriously. My sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those that have lost someone.
Cynthia says
I’m sorry you went through that. Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds awful and since you’re healthy otherwise it really hits home how bad it’ll get
For someone immunocompromised etc. Be well, don’t assume you’re immune and get a chest X-ray and titer when this is all over. God bless.
Maggie says
Dorothy you were taken too soon, your story is our REALITY NOW….May you be with God, safe, and healthy, in a new world of PEACE. Prayers for Carey!
Barbara says
A test would have confirmed that she had the virus and might have saved others from contracting it. Please just look at the data from South Korea. They had their first case the same day as the U.S., but South Korea took swift action, did widespread testing and contact tracing, and received critical support from its citizens. They flattened the curve. It’s still uncertain as to how effective this will be long term. But our country has the absolute worst trajectory now – straight up. Praying for my country today.
leslie persons says
I suggest if you feel ill, please go to St. Augustine for testing or to Halifax in Daytona. The hospital in Ormond is even a bigger joke than ours!
Sending love to the families who are going through this pandemic for God to help you through this very difficult time. And to everyone else: STAY HOME, THERE IS NOTHING YOU NEED AT PUBLICS, LOWES, HOME DEPOT OR ANYWHERE THAT IS WORTH RISKING YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF YOUR FAMILIES.
I have spoken to several local friends on the phone who tell me they are all hunkered down, and then go on to say the only time they leave the house is when they run out of beer or decided they needed to plant another Fig tree and had to run to home depot…. Please, people, take this seriously your life depends on it!!
Ojay says
This is rough news to our community, because my understanding this could have been a different story if 19 days ago all asthma patients would have been off duty and totally isolated from others and other measures were implemented to support her to prevent this. I am so sorry to her family, but sharing means caring.
mark101 says
A sad Story and a truthful view of our local healthcare providers. I feel any person over the age of 65 and any person that has impacts to their immune system be it by Cancer or any other debilitating condition be given a test. Its only right.
palmcoaster says
Awful sad and tragic story. You are in God’s arms Dorothy! What a terrible loss that could have been prevented if tested as soon a had first sympthom’s with aggressive treatment. More important yet test would maybe have prevented more infections to all the other people around her. The one’s with the absolute power have named their Czar Test that decide who will and would not take it while they are totally ignorant about the disease. The ignorance at the helm are gambling the population lives like business as usual.
Yeah 3 months ago other than get ready to the incoming pandemic , instead was deemed fear mongering, fake news and we have the greatest power and a tremendous CDC…
Shame says
We can afford to send zillions of dollars to other countries but can’t take care of our own. Shame on us.
Realist says
To everybody saying she should have been tested,just to let you know there is no “cure” for this virus,nor is there a cure for viral pneumonia…..it would have had the same result wether she was tested or not,wether results were available in minutes or days.And her husband not being able to be there is for the greater good of ALL people.It is how they keep outbreaks out of delicate hospitals,by not allowing visitors that could be sick or carriers through hospitals.Not being negative,just stating true facts as a realist.
Eva Mowry says
Sadly what you say is NOT true at all. The sooner it’s confirmed, the sooner full quarantine can happen, the sooner oxygen can gt monitored, and preventive meds for pneumonia can be administered, so there is some chance at recovery.
Joe says
Hey Realist. Her and Carey’s best friend here. Reality is ill be there soon
Watch for me
Realist says
Ok,I’ll be watching for you,whatever that means.Pretending to be a tough guy keyboard warrior does nothing.I was correcting facts.I do not believe the results would have been any different regardless if she was tested at health department,Flagler hospital in st Augustine or halifax in Daytona.Odds are the result would’ve been the same.True,they could have Quarantined her right away to prevent interaction with all others though.And I don’t even have to get in to WHY hospitals won’t allow visitors right now,that’s just common sense
capt says
Wrong in so many ways. If the virus is early on in your system, and if your immune system has been compromised by cancer, asthma , COPD or any other condition getting that person tested and into a facility could say that persons life if they test positive. .
ASF says
Just a side question: If Ms. Strickland was doing hair up to the point of being hospitalized, does this mean that any of her customer’s should be informed of the possible exposure and/or tested, if they have symptoms? And, if they need to be tested due to exposure, how and where should they go about it?
SAMY SUAREZ says
DOROTHY STRICKLAND WILL BE MISSED WE WORKED TOGETHER DOING PLATFORM SHOWS! SHE ALSO WORKED IN ONE OF MY SALONS ON US1& SUNSET IN MIAMI.A TRUE PROFESSIONAL EVERYONE LOVED DOROTHY!HEAVEN IS ENJOYING HER SMILE, ATTITUDE, CHARISMA AND HER TALENT!!!CARY MY CONDOLENCES.♥️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Pepper says
Dorthy Strickland was an absolute WONDERFUL human being. She was the light in a room. Her soul was so pure. May she rest in paradise! She gave me my last hair cut on March 8th 2020. I will never let another person cut my hair. She was my person. My condolences to her family. Carey is an amazing husband to her and cared greatly for her. Please be safe in this time of tragedy.
Outsider says
So sorry for the loss of Mrs. Strickland. She sounds like a wonderful person. That being said, there are many patients having success with hydroxycholoroquine and azithromycin, aka “Z pack.” I don’t know if the hydroxychloroquine is available locally, but when a patient makes a turn for the worst there is probably no harm in trying this; I certainly would, and no, I am not a doctor. The doctor in France who tried this stated that it was irresponsible to deny this treatment. Also, a Chinese doctor says the sooner he intubated his patients the better the outcomes were. Having a correct diagnosis sooner certainly would help, according to the reports I have seen.
FlaglerLive says
At 3:59 p.m. on Thursday, Bob Snyder, who heads the Flagler County Health Department, sent the following email to Jonathan Lord, the emergency management chief for the county:
Subject: Please share with our community partners
The Department of Health-Flagler joins the community to express our sadness, prayers and condolences about the death of Flagler County’s first resident who succumbed to COVID 19. Sadly, we anticipate additional positive cases and tragedies like this in the weeks ahead within our community.
My staff and I did not know about the death and was not contacted by the Medical Examiner’s office until late Wednesday night. However, many in the community learned of the patient’s passing hours before through social media and other sources. We have no control over such circumstances. Going forward, I have asked my staff to notify me of future deaths when they are confirmed and I will in turn notify Jonathan. Due to strict rules regarding privacy and confidentiality for epidemiological investigations including those for COVID 19, I cannot share any details about a positive case or a death other than what is made public by the State Department of Health and what is shared through the agency’s dashboard at http://www.floridahealth.gov. This is the only source of information statewide that is accurate and valid. It is updated twice a day, at noon and 6 pm each day. The site is loaded with information, data and updated guidelines from DOH and the CDC. We can’t share any information other than what is posted on the website.
I can assure you that all the right steps are being taken by Health Department staff in regards to this unprecedented pandemic. We are working tirelessly and completely in testing patients who meet CDC and DOH test criteria, monitoring the persons under investigation, as well as those who are quarantined and following up on the persons who are considered close contacts of an infected individual. The epidemiological investigative process is complex, requires many action steps, and is very manpower intensive. Additionally, our work locally is peer reviewed to ensure that each and every case is handled according to standards set by the CDC. With respect to the patient who passed away, I reviewed with our Director of Nursing all our interactions with the patient and close contacts. We were in touch with patient, had daily contact with the patient’s family and protocol was followed. We have limited control over what is sometimes reported by news sources, even if inaccurate due to health information privacy laws and regulations. As medical and healthcare providers, we view such information as sacrosanct.
I hope you understand the importance of what I shared above. Please know that the entire Health Department staff is on overdrive. We are dedicated and focused on the task at hand. We are public servants and our only goal is to do our best to minimize the spread of COVID 19 in Flagler, reduce the number of deaths through epidemiological processes and actions, such as effective contact tracing and keeping the community informed in a timely and effective manner. As Health Officer, I spend a large portion of my day communicating via virtual town halls, live web updates, a weekly radio broadcast on 94.9FM on all topics related to COVID 19 and other media sources.
We value our partnership with all of you. Your continued support of public health and what we do during a pandemic emergency crisis is appreciated.
Bob
Joe says
Why would you not suit Carey up and let him be with her!!!!!??????
Why??
There is no valid answer!
Pissed in PC says
Bob, I respectively disagree. The CDC guidelines are NOT set in stone. Just because one doesn’t meet every single word for word of must have travelled, must have fever, must have cough and the exactly worded symptoms doesn’t mean they should be denied a test. Upon looking at the data charts on the Florida disaster website, not everyone has shortness of breath, not everyone has travelled, etc. This is an epic failure on the Health department as she was high risk with history of asthma. What about high blood pressure, diabetes, lung or heart problems. Are you gonna continue to refuse those people a test? Sorry but I’ve never been so disappointed in the government as I am now. But please keep downplaying it in Flagler as there will be more cases that happen like this.
Thankful to Flagler Live says
The reason why we all welcome Flagler Live and their continued updates is because, NONE OF YOU CAN BE TRUSTED!!! The only reason why the number are so low is because ALL OF YOU, supposedly in charge, want to keep everyone in the dark and make it look like, “Perfect Flagler County” is immune to everything.. as you if we live in some sort of a bubble. So of course you’re always so “short” on tests.. no testing = no cases. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU are responsible for this lady’s passing. The only reason why you’re saying all this about whatever laws that don’t mean anything at this time, is to cover ALL OF YOU who have NO CLUE whatsoever as to how to do your job!!!
So, THANK YOU FLAGLER LIVE again, for being the only one looking out for our community and telling the public what REALLY goes on behind EVERY single one of you supposedly professionals.. remember.. you were voted in.. and can be voted OUT!!
Janet Edin says
Condolences to family and friends…it is always a sad time when we lose a friend or family member.
Of course, at a time like this when all are acting in panic … as we have seen in the past in varying degrees with Sars, Swine flu, Bird Flu, etc., most of which we have forgotten… one has to wonder.
As a former health care provider…I ask the following:
Two questions…
1. Did they do an autopsy and determine the actual cause of death?
She was asthmatic… worked with chemicals on a daily basis… etc.
What was her medical history?
2. Has anyone gone through her list of clients …which had to be substantial for the period of time of hen she started feeling ill (an would have been contagious) and then felt ill enough to go to the ER.
As a resident of Flagler, I find it very strange that in this small town, with the number of clients she must have seen, there appear to have been no further incidents. Doesn’t anyone else agree???
ASF says
…Again, not to belabor the point but should those who might have been exposed to Ms. Strickland in her profession as a hairdresser be contacted so they can be aware of possible exposure? And, if anyone who fits that profile is having symptoms, can their testing be expedited? I think we can all see, from the sad story relayed above, that time may be of the essence. Its not just a matter of people Ms. Strickland may hae been in contact with–those people have been in contact with others as well. That is how the circle widens.
Michele S. says
So very sad about Dorothy’s passing. My condolences go out to her family and friends. I don’t know if earlier testing would have made a difference for Dorothy but when the health professionals say she didn’t meet the guidelines for testing….What more did they need? Fever, dry cough, etc. Classic signs. And sometimes people just need to use their common sense. She needed to be tested. Very sad indeed.
Honey Moss says
So very sorry to hear this news. I’ve known Dorothy for about 30 years …. Hadn’t spoken to her but remember her from so long ago. I wish her peace and tranquility and send my condolences to the family.
Honey Moss
Ben Bosscher says
Dorothy was such a great friend and neighbor! I shared a little tribute and a few photos of my son’s 1st haircut done by Dorothy on my Instagram.
I.G. BenjaminBosscher
John C says
South Korea, is not a Second world economy! Its one of the riches country in the world. Not to mention its culture and homogeneous tradition help turn the pandemic around.
Jane says
Dorothy excelled at what she did and was lovely too.
Jls says
After reading all the responses to Dees death…I’m surprised to find so many people wanting to find fault with her death!
I’m sure Cary is devastated as any spouse would be..
I’m sure all her friends are sad but as time passes it will get easier.
You cannot BLAME anyone!
Deaths are hard no matter how it happens..
But when GOD calls you home nothing on this earth will stop it.
God must have needed another angel.
The unknown about this virus is very upsetting…. but I don’t think anyone in our entire world knows what to do!
So please don’t blame… don’t say the county, the hospital, the lack of testing
Nothing would have helped!
You can be mad at God…..
I think when this is all over and we are allowed to be “normal “ again
The world as we knew it will be gone!
I think it’s written in the Bible…Gods word!
I knew Cary, I never met Dorothy but I’d seen her many times st the beach..
I’m sorry she was given a horrible way to die.
There are many. MANY, people who wasn’t given the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones. Take a look at New York!
This is a time in our lives and the world that NO ONE has ever seen anything like this!
It’s the first time for many of us to witness such a tragedy…. something that I hope the young people pay attention to. Hey think they are invincible…they thing they know everything
Some of us remember stories of the war and the other diseases that took masses of people so many years ago.
I say we all pray!! Unless that’s something you don’t do…maybe it’s time to try it!
It’s not over yet…
But there’s no reason to blame anyone.
It’s just sad😢😢😢
Grit says
My sincere condolences to the family of Dorothy. This is so sad and so unnecessary. Please all take notice, that Dr. David Klein from Stages of Life Institute in Longwood Florida is performing the Covid 19 test. He tests for currently being infected and for antibodies. Anyone can go and get tested. The results are available within 10 minutes.