Sarasota Military Academy is one among several charter schools in Sarasota County. [Herald-Tribune Archive] ▲ This undated photo provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus. [CDC via AP] ▲ Vice President Mike Pence arrived as Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Friday afternoon to attend a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. At the airport, Pence met supporters and cadets from Sarasota Military academy, then posed for a photo with the cadets in front of Air Force 2. A student from SMA was recently quarantined as a precaution because his parent was in contact with a positively tested coronavirus patient at Doctor’s Hospital. The student did not attend the meeting with Pence. [HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE] ▲

The student was not one of the cadets who met with Vice President Mike Pence when he visited Sarasota last week, the school says.

SARASOTA — A mother and son from Sarasota Military Academy have been quarantined after coming into contact with a patient who tested positive for coronavirus at Doctors Hospital, the school reports.

The mother came into contact with the patient in her "professional roles," according to a post on the Sarasota Military Academy's official Facebook page. Coronavirus causes the disease COVID-19.

Col. Christina Bowman, executive director of schools at SMA, said the school has been following protocols related to flu season that included sanitizing classrooms, door knobs, door handles and light fixtures routinely.

About 10 days ago — and again Monday — maintenance crews performed sanitation.

"I want our parents and employees to know we are safe," Bowman said. "We've been proactive on sanitizing and teaching our students how to make sure they are washing their hands. We are working with the health department and making sure we are following their protocols. At this time, they are not recommending any exclusions. They are recommending we go about our business every day."

The school is in constant contact with the cadet and his mother, who are not exhibiting any symptoms of coronavirus, Bowman said, noting that parents should keep students who have a fever or not feeling well home to avoid sharing any viruses.

On Friday, SMA senior cadets shook hands and posed for photos with Vice President Mike Pence in front of Air Force 2 on the tarmac at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. The Vice President was visiting Sarasota for a fundraiser at U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan's house.

The Pentagon has been in touch with the school about the student.

"We have been in touch with the Pentagon, so we assured them that particular cadet was not present for that occasion," Bowman said.

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Sarasota schools spokeswoman Kelsey Whealy said the district was in talks with state and federal officials and hoped to have an update for families by the end of the day.

Sarasota School Board Member Bridget Ziegler said the district would be distributing information once they had more up-to-date details.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Sunday night declaring a public health emergency after two Florida residents — one in Manatee County and another from Hillsborough County — tested positive.

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These are the only two confirmed cases in Florida. However, the Florida Department of Health reports that there are eight other pending cases and 15 negative results statewide. There are 184 people under public health monitoring.

State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees said that the patient in Manatee County is a man in his 60s and is in stable condition. A Hillsborough County woman in her 20s, who recently returned from Italy, also is stable.

The Manatee County man was hospitalized for evaluation and treatment for pneumonia, according to the state surgeon general. It is unknown how he was exposed to coronavirus.

Travelers returning from global "high" outbreak areas — China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and parts of Japan — with lower respiratory symptoms are being monitored closely.

"If you look at how this virus has unfolded, folks who are middle age, younger, healthy tend to weather it fine," Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday during a press conference. "It tends to have the most deleterious effect on people with underlying health conditions or who are elderly."

Rivkees said the public should "go about your normal business" and the risk from coronovirus is "low."

Patients who believe they have symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call before they come to physicians groups, hospitals or urgent care centers to avoid spreading the virus to others.

Kevin DiLallo, Manatee Memorial Hospital's CEO, said in an email there are not coronavirus patients at Manatee Memorial Hospital or Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

Both hospitals, he said, have been preparing for several weeks in anticipation of an outbreak.

"We feel confident that we have our team prepared," DiLallo said in the email.

Kim Savage, spokesperson for Sarasota Memorial Health Care Systems, said Sarasota Memorial Hospital is operating normally but stepping up efforts to respond to a potential spread of the virus in the community.

"Even though there has been no confirmation, we are going to assume it is here," she said. "We are going to take extra steps for our staff and community in ways they can be safe."

The hospital has created a website, smh.com, with information specific to the coronavirus and a general number, 941-917-8799, that people can call for questions.

"Basically we are asking people to be vigilante but not panicked," Savage said. "We want people who are sick to stay home and call their doctor and get advice on when and where and if they need medical care. We don't want them to come to the hospital and expose people unnecessarily."

Savage says those with a primary care physician should call first to determine if they can be treated at home. If symptoms are severe, they will get instructions to get care. It may be provided at the emergency room.

"If they don't have a doctor, they should call the hospital ahead of time to come in to get guidance," Savage says.

Patients suspected of coronavirus are not diagnosed at SMH. If their symptoms meet the testing criteria — signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties — the hospital, or a physician, will recommend further testing. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Testing is done by the three Center for Disease Control labs in Florida (Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami) and one at CDC headquarters in Atlanta. Local sites can verify results within 24 to 48 hours — previously, it took five days.

"We collect nasal, blood samples and sometimes cells from inside the airway, and then health officials at the state and local health department work with the CDC to arrange the testing," Savage says. "They have to approve the testing, as well."

The FDOH actively monitors all persons under investigation for coronavirus for a period of at least 14 days or until tests are negative, the executive order states.

"They (CDC) have a lot of testing to do," Rivkees said.

In addition, the state is working with assisted living facilities and nursing homes — individuals who haven't the highest risk from coronavirus — to ensure they are taking adequate precautions.

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"As of right now, we are repeating the messaging we receive from the state," Sarasota County spokeswoman Brianne Grant says. "They are taking the lead on that. We are working with our Department of Health at the local level."

Grant says Sarasota County is participating in calls with state health officials Monday morning.

"This will be very similar to messaging for an approaching hurricane or large-scale event," Grant says. "We activate our incident management team and have scheduled calls with State health officials."

Jonathan Lewis, Sarasota County's administrator, said he and other officials are continuing to monitor and follow state health department leadership.

Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio praised the county's health department and other staff for its response and said he has full confidence in their ability to respond.

In the past, "they have handled cold weather, tornadoes, hurricanes and other health events seamlessly," Maio said. "I just hope that this is a minor event, but we will just have to see."

Commissioner Christian Ziegler is "so far" satisfied with the county and state's response.

"Now, during the initial stages, is the most critical time to respond," Ziegler said.

Ziegler said that he supports the public having as much information as possible and has repeated posted updates to his followers on social media.