NEWSFLASH: Florida Department of Health Confirms First Coronavirus Case in Brevard County

By Space Coast Daily // March 17, 2020

COMMISSION CHAIRMAN BRYAN LOBER DISCUSSES BREA'S FIRST COVID-19 CASE

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SPACE COAST DAILY TV: As Chair of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, Bryan Lober also serves as the Chair of the Policy Group. It is critical that residents and businesses listen carefully to the messaging accompanying the declaration of a local state of emergency to determine why the local state of emergency was declared and what precautions should be taken.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The first positive case of coronavirus in Brevard County has been confirmed by the Florida Department of Health.

Additional information on whether the virus was travel-related, as well as the gender and age of the person infected, is not immediately available as this is a developing story. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for updates.

The news comes barely a week after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency following the state’s first coronavirus disease-related deaths.

This past week, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This past Friday, President Donald Trump declared coronavirus a national emergency.

Brevard County declared a local state of emergency on Saturday, which provides the county additional avenues to obtain protective equipment for first responders and sanitation supplies for critical public facilities; to make adjustments on leave policies; to tap into financial reserves to deal with potential emergencies; and to seek federal reimbursement for consequence management actions.

As of Monday, Florida had confirmed 137 cases of coronavirus, including confirmed cases in neighboring Volusia, Seminole, Osceola, and Orange counties.

Brevard County Emergency Management continues to work closely with local, state and federal health officials to monitor the spread of the disease.

“We are actively using social media and other communication means to provide prevention and social-distancing recommendations from both the CDC and the Florida Department of Health and to also respond to misinformation and rumors,” said Brevard County officials.

The arrival of coronavirus in Brevard is neither a surprise nor catastrophic.

Brevard County officials have been taking preventative actions since January, actions which have been expanded in recent days.

“The County and our partner agencies have all the necessary resources and support personnel necessary to address this occurrence,” said Brevard County officials.

The message for prevention continues to be individual responsibility, with the key focus on social distancing and avoidance of large gatherings to prevent the spread of germs.

Individuals should continue to wash their hands often and thoroughly, using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Other measures to aid in prevention include:

• Practice social distancing by keeping six feet between yourself and others;

• Avoid large gatherings;

• Self-isolate if you are sick; and

• Call your regular physician, local emergency room, or urgent care clinic for screening to determine whether you should be seen by medical personnel.

Brevard County residents may call 2-1-1 for up-to-date information regarding coronavirus between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

After hours, anyone with questions should call the FDOH COVID-19 Call Center at 866-779-6121. The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CLICK HERE for additional resources on the FDOH web site.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS