20 of 60 COVID cases tied to travel to Mexico

Posted on June 17, 2020

While Taylor County’s number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has more than doubled over the last two weeks to 60 total, exactly one-third of the recent positive test results have come from those reporting recent international travel.

Approximately 20 of Taylor County’s 60 total positive coronavirus test results have come in the past two weeks from individuals who share living quarters and recently traveled from Mexico.

Additionally, six of those who reported traveling to Mexico also reported coming into contact with a known positive case.

According to DOH-Taylor Public Information Officer Martine Young, the county’s recent spike occurred in a situation of congregate living arrangements due to an inability to social distance.

Taylor County’s hospitalization percentage is hovering at 10%, which falls six percentage points below the state’s average of 16%.

As new positive results are received nearly every day, Doctors’ Memorial Hospital (DMH) continues to proactively battle the coronavirus pandemic.

While the Florida Department of Health (DOH) does not release where COVID-positive patients are being treated, six of Taylor County’s positive COVID-19 cases have been hospitalized. Additionally, 19% of Taylor County’s positive cases were admitted to an emergency room.

According to DMH CEO Tom Stone, DMH has admitted and treated 40 suspected coronavirus positive patients. Of those 40, only one returned a positive test result.

“DMH continues to treat COVID-19 suspected positive and confirmed positive cases. When a patient presents to the hospital or the Emergency Department, we assess the patient to determine if they meet criteria for admission and then we determine whether the patient’s level of care can be met by DMH,” Stone said.

Coronavirus-positive patients may experience symptoms that range in severity.

Taylor County’s youngest COVID-19 case is a six-year-old female and has reportedly only experienced minor symptoms, such as congestion, sinus pressure and loss of taste and smell.

However, a 42-year-old Pastor Jeff Stading of New Home Baptist was hospitalized at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for 12 days after testing positive.

“If we cannot provide the level of service that the patient needs, we will arrange for a transfer to an appropriate facility that meets the needs of that particular patient,” Stone said.

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the hospital had five negative pressure rooms that would allow DMH to isolate and treat a patient with COVID-19 symptoms.

“We have been able to convert two more rooms to negative pressure and are prepared to convert three more rooms if necessary. So, currently we have seven rooms capable of managing a COVID patient and the ability to convert three more if necessary,” Stone said.

According to Young, if a person suspects they have COVID-19 or if they are experiencing the symptoms, it is important to call ahead for medical treatment.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 symptoms may include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

“Many places are meeting these people outside, utilizing back doors, or using tele-medicine to try and limit exposure to both staff and other patients,” Young said.

As of press time on Thursday, 1,307 people had been tested in Taylor County, with the 60 positive cases yielding a 4.6% positive rate.

Statewide, Florida has surpassed 80,000 cases as of Tuesday’s 11 a.m. update. Of Florida’s 80,109 positive cases, more than 12,000 have been hospitalized, and 2,993 have died due to COVID-19.

On May 4, Gov. Ron DeSantis implemented the initial “Phase One” re-opening of Florida, moving to “full Phase One” on May 18. On June 5, Florida moved into “Phase Two” of DeSantis’ three-part plan to re-open the state.

During the month of May, the number of new coronavirus cases reported each day leveled off at around 600-700, with occasional peaks of 1,000.

According to the DOH dashboard, the month of June has seen around 1,300 new cases each day, with spikes as high as 2,337.

Over the past two weeks, the number has ranged from a low of 1,024 on June 4 to a high of 2,776 on June 15.

Of the seven most recent days with complete data, new positive tests have numbered: 1,266 (June 9) 1,662 (June 10), 1,641 (June 11), 2,337 (June 12), 2,162 (June 13), 1,807 (June 14) and 2,776 (June 15).

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