COVID case spike tied to travel to Mexico

Posted on June 12, 2020

Taylor County’s positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases surpassed 50 cases at the Department of Health’s (DOH) Thursday update and included an additional two hospitalizations.

At 51 positive cases and five total hospitalizations, Taylor County’s infection rate of those tested is 4.4%, and the hospitalization rate is 10%.

The most significant increase in positive cases was reflected in the Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) Saturday, June 6, update, with an unprecedented increase of 15 new cases in a single day.

“The weekend spike occurred in a situation of congregate living arrangements. Like a long-term care facility, we tend to see rapid spread in these instances due to the inability to social distance,” DOH-Taylor Public Information Officer Martine Young said.

While only one of the 51 confirmed coronavirus cases was not a Florida resident, nine of the recent positive cases reported traveling to Mexico.

Taylor County confirmed its first and only Hispanic case on June 4. An additional 13 individuals that tested positive over the week identified as Hispanic.

“Current data does suggest a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups; however, infection rate data is still emerging,” Young said.

Taylor County’s numbers are significantly lower than the state of Florida. Statewide, 17% of Florida’s cases have been hospitalized, compared to Taylor County’s 10%.

Additionally, 16% of Florida’s cases have been related to long-term care, while only 2% (one case) of Taylor County’s cases have been related to an out-of-county long-term care facility.

Marshall Health and Rehabilitation, Taylor County’s only long-term care facility, has been successful in keeping its residents and staff members 100% COVID-19 free.

Taylor Correctional Institute (TCI) has also reported zero coronavirus cases, while the state of Florida’s correctional institute percentage has hovered around 4%.

As of press time on Thursday, 1,164 people had been tested in Taylor County, yielding a 4.4% positive rate.

“At this point, we can definitely say that we are seeing community spread,” Young said Tuesday.

“We encourage the community to continue practicing prevention actions such as staying home if you are sick, keeping away from people who are sick, disinfecting high-touch surface areas, practicing social distancing, utilizing a mask when in public and practicing proper hand hygiene,” Young said.

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.