TreasureCoast Covid-19 Update May 12 2020

The number of coronavirus cases in Florida is approaching 41-thousand. The death toll statewide is now at 17-hundred-35 after another 14 fatalities were reported yesterday. There’s good news in the latest testing for COVID-19 in Florida.

————————

Governor Ron DeSantis speaking in Fort Myers at his latest coronavirus update.

Governor Ron DeSantis says he’s encouraged by the data he’s seeing including a continuing falling rate of positivity when it comes to coronavirus testing.

https://www.facebook.com/LeeHealth/videos/1337329359801071/

At his latest COVID-19 update in Fort Myers, Desantis said the number of Floridians in Intensive Care Units has almost been cut in half since the first week in April–from more than 850 then to 467 as of yesterday. —————————

Martin County has been increasing efforts to curb the number of cases in specific areas that have emerged as potential COVID-19 “hot spots.”

At least two communities, in particular, are showing higher concentrations of cases.

——————————

As a number of western nations, including the United States, wind down stay at home orders, the World Health Organization said on Monday that attempting herd immunity without a vaccine is a “dangerous” idea.

Herd immunity is generally achieved when enough members of a population have antibodies to a virus that the spread of a virus slows. Immunity can generally be attained be either getting infected or having a vaccine.

But as viruses mutate, antibodies lose their effectiveness. It’s also not fully known how long antibodies keep people immune from catching the virus. According to Johns Hopkins University, flu antibodies generally last less than a year, and antibodies for other types of coronaviruses range from a few months to a few years.

Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s Executive Director of Health Emergencies, did not mince words when the organization was asked on Monday about the concept of herd immunity.

“This idea that, ‘well, maybe countries who had lax measures and haven’t done anything will all of a sudden magically reach some herd immunity, and so what if we lose a few old people along the way?’ This is a really dangerous, dangerous calculation,” Ryan said.

“Humans are not herds,” Ryan added. “As such, the concept of herd immunity is generally reserved for calculating would need to be vaccinated in order to obtain that same effect. I think we need to be very careful when we use terms around natural infections of humans because it can lead to a brutal arithmetic, which does not put people, life and suffering at the center of that equation.”

The WHO cited a number of serologic studies that are looking at the prevalence of the virus worldwide. While only one study has been fully peer reviewed, and a few others are in pre-review, the evidence is that few humans have attained antibodies leaving a still vulnerable population despite a worldwide death toll of nearly 300,000.

Dr. Van Kerkhove told reporters that it’s unknown exactly how much of a population needs to be infected for it to attain herd immunity, but “it certainly needs to be higher than what we’re seeing in these serologic prevalence studies,” she said.

Serologic studies test the general population for antibodies to the virus, and not for active cases. The studies can give scientists an indication of not only how susceptible a population is, but how potent and potentially deadly a virus has become.

Johns Hopkins University has published information on herd immunity.

“With some other diseases, such as chickenpox before the varicella vaccine was developed, people sometimes exposed themselves intentionally as a way of achieving immunity,” Johns Hopkins University professors Gypsyamber D’Souza and David Dowdy wrote. “For less severe diseases, this approach might be reasonable. But the situation for SARS-CoV-2 is very different: COVID-19 carries a much higher risk of severe disease and even death.”

———————————

As Florida begins to reopen, the overwhelming concern among parents heading back to work is who will take care of their children for the remainder of the summer.

———————————

Toll plazas around the state can serve food again, but there’s a catch for those traveling through South Florida.

The governor announcing that most toll plazas can seat and serve diners, but plazas in Snapper Creek, Pompano and West Palm Beach can only serve take-out. FDOT says it will monitor dining practices and adjust as the new guidelines emerge.

Tolls will be collected through an electronic process. Officials urged drivers to continue driving through toll plazas and pay attention to overhead and portable signs.

————————

You’re going to have to wear more than Mickey Mouse ears when Walt Disney World reopens.

———————

The Florida Department of Health announced Monday they are holding 12 coronavirus testing events throughout Martin County from May 12 to May 23.

The testing is free, and no appointment is needed. Health officials also said patients do not need to show symptoms and can simply drive-thru or walk-up to any of the testing locations.

Below are a list of the 12 sites along with the dates and times that testing will be conducted.

Indiantown

Big Mound Park, 15205 SW Indian Mound Dr

Tues. 5/12 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

East Stuart

St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1200 SE 10th St

Wed. 5/13 • Noon to 6 p.m.

Indiantown

Booker Park Fire Dept., 15101 SW 169 Ave

Thurs. 5/14 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Golden Gate

Cassidy Center, 2895 SE Fairmont St

Fri. 5/15 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

East Stuart

10th Street Community Center, 724 SE 10th St

Sat. 5/16 • 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

Hobe Sound

Banner Lake Club, 12212 SE Lantana Ave

Sun. 5/17 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Port Salerno

Wojcieszak Park, 4733 SE Grouper Ave

Mon. 5/18 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jensen Beach

Langford Park, 2369 NE Dixie Hwy

Tues. 5/19 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Golden Gate

Cassidy Center, 2895 SE Fairmont St

Wed. 5/20 • Noon to 6 p.m.

Palm City

Jock Leighton Park, 3755 SW Mapp Rd

Thurs. 5/21 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Indiantown

Big Mound Park, 15205 SW Indian Mound Dr

Fri. 5/22 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Indiantown

Booker Park Fire Dept., 15101 SW 169 Ave

Sat. 5/23 • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you have questions about the testing sites, call the Florida Department of Health, Martin County at 772-221-4000, option #9

TreasureCoast Covid-19 Update May 12 2020