TreasureCoast Covid-19 Update April 13, 2020

The Department of Health is reporting nearly 20-thousand coronavirus cases in Florida. 461 people have died.

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The United States’ top infectious disease expert said Sunday that the economy in parts of the country could have a “rolling reentry” as early as next month, provided health authorities can quickly identify and isolate people who will inevitably be infected with the coronavirus.

Rather than flipping a switch to reopen the entire country, Fauci said a gradual process will be required based on the status of the pandemic in various parts of the U.S. and the availability of rapid, widespread testing. Once the number of people who are seriously ill sharply declines, officials can begin to “think about a gradual reentry of some sort of normality, some rolling reentry,” Fauci said.

TreasureCoast Covid-19 Update April 13, 2020

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One Central Florida county is taking further steps to flatten the coronavirus curve. Starting today in Osceola County, masks must be worn in public. Residents are asked to use simple items, like bandannas, scarves or t-shirts, so that personal protective equipment can be available for first responders.

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First-time claims for unemployment benefits continue to spike in Florida. More than 255-thousand claims have been filed last week alone, including 12-thousand by paper.

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Publix is transitioning to one-way shopping aisles to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

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Florida Polytechnic University is working with Advent Health to manufacture parts for plastic face shields. They have been using 3D printer technology to make headbands and chin straps.

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The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline fell 14 cents over the past two weeks, to $2.01 per gallon.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that gas prices have dropped 52 cents over the past seven weeks as demand declines amid widespread stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic.

The highest average price in the nation for regular-grade gas is $3.22 per gallon in Honolulu.

The lowest average is $1.42 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The average price of diesel is $2.69, down 7 cents.

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