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Florida takes first step to reopen
Reopening getting underway in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, too By B.C. Manion
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis began the first phase of reopening the state this week — after ordering all but essential businesses and activities to close down on April 3.
The new “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” order institutes a phase one reopening throughout the state, except in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Under phase one, schools will remain in distance learning through the end of the school year, and no visitors will be allowed to long-term facilities — as has been the case.
BUT, THE FIRST PHASE DOES ALLOW:
• Elective surgeries • Outdoor dining at restaurants, with 6 feet between tables; and indoor dining, at
25% capacity • Retail shopping at 25% capacity, and businesses must follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distancing guidelines The first phase of the governor’s order does not allow reopening of movie theaters, gyms, bars or hair salons. The state is taking deliberate steps in reopening, DeSantis said, in a televised news conference. “It will not be like turning off a switch,” See REOPEN, page 9A
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Having fun and exercising — in the great outdoors
There’s no doubt that many people have been feeling a bit cooped up in recent weeks, in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID19) pandemic. But, there are ways to exercise and have fun, as seen around The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Above, 6-year-old Eliza Nudo and her 4-year-old brother Everett Nudo go fishing for the first time with their new fishing gear. They used hot dogs for bait. Their dad, Joe Nudo, and mom, Jessica, help supervise the fun. The family lives in Connerton.
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Fire department consolidation approved By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
After more than 100 years of tradition and service, the Zephyrhills Fire Department soon will be no more. Its operations are expected to be consolidated in September, into Pasco County Fire Rescue. The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Pasco County to provide fire suppression/first responder services to the municipality. The action came during an April 27 virtual council meeting. Per the agreement, Pasco Fire Rescue would operate the city’s two fire stations and hire all 25 of the city’s fire rescue personnel at their proper pay step. The county agency would ensure and maintain additional staffing needs at both stations, and place an ambulance within the city limits. The agreement calls for a 20-year term, See FIRE, page 9A
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INSIDE, PAGE 1B
Tennis players get in some games and exercise at Price Park in Dade City.
Carol Moore, of Wesley Chapel, walks Annie, her 10-yearold Chihuahua, through the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. The tiny dog goes for two walks each day.
A closer look at COVID-19 statistics in Pasco By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County’s percentage of positive coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases compares favorably to the state’s percentage of positive cases, according to Mike Napier, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County. Napier’s comments came on April 24, during a townhall virtual meeting hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. Napier said the health department’s epidemiologists work with hospitals, long-term health facilities, urgent care centers, and other medical and testing facilities to identify, monitor and track all positive COVID-19 cases. Once a positive case is identified, the health department’s epidemiology team contacts the individual and asks about their activities and the people they’ve come in contact with. “Based on that information, follow-up calls are made to those possible contacts. Information is gathered and recommendations are provided to those individuals, as well. “A tracking system is used to compile this information and determine trends in our community.
“Normally, this is a 24/7 operation, manned by four staff in the health department. “However, in the last few weeks, we’ve ramped up and have a total of 25 people working on contact tracing. “As we know, contact tracing is a huge component in resolving our COVID-19 cases,” Napier said. “Before we had the self-isolation, you may have been to a neighborhood barbecue.You may have been to your children’s school event. I may have 40 to 50 people. “Contact tracing is important. “We contact our positives within the first 24 to 48 hours of the lab getting back to us. Many times, we’re contacting them before the doctors call them.” “The amount of work is reduced because of the isolation, and the spread is reduced because of the isolation.” Napier put Pasco County’s percentage of positive cases at 5% of those tested, compared to the state average of 10%. “Today (April 24), we’ve had nine positive cases; in the past, we’ve been doing pretty well, with four or five cases,” he said. Of 229 cases, 174 people have been removed from isolation, he said. As of April 24, Pasco had its highest daily positive count on the first three days of
April.The counts on those days were 15, 12 and 16, respectively. “For this past week, we’ve averaged five cases, so we’re making progress,” he said. Early on, most of the county’s cases were related to travel from known hot spots. Then, the positive cases were from exposure to known cases, with a large percentage being from household contact, such as spouses, children and siblings, he said. He said the health department provides priority testing, based on first responders and health care workers. He said BayCare also has stepped up with drive-thru testing at its Gulf Harbor location and now at Gulf High School in New Port Richey. “BayCare has tested more than 2,000 residents that met the screening criteria. I can’t emphasize the importance of the screening criteria — fever, cough, shortness of breath,” Napier said. The focus has been on testing people who are symptomatic, he said. The testing will be provided through the first week of May at Gulf High School, said Napier, who also gave a shout-out to the principal, for accommodating the testing. See STATISTICS, page 9A