Covid-19 Update | March 24 at 7:31 PM

Still no community spread in Bay County. 1 positive out of 41 tests, so running a 2% positive rate. Florida has an additional 240 cases and only 2 additional deaths. Despite a huge amount of additional testing, in the last 5 days our state has consistently increased by 200-240 cases per day. When a curve isn’t flattening the number of new cases would increase every day. We have basically gone 550,770,990,1210,1430 which on a percent basis is 40%, 29%, 22%, 18%, 15%; this means unless we get an influx of New Yorkers or Louisiaians, Florida has flattened the curve. We have managed to do this with a common sense approach. Closing schools, social distancing campaigns, dine in restaurant closures, and keeping those at risk isolated. I wasn’t a fan of closing the beaches, but it has been effective at preventing out of area guests from coming. I would have preferred a well-enforced domestic travel ban, but I guess its easier to close attractions than keep people from coming here. The nation’s curve is not flattening and of course we see the horror show going on in New York. Prayers for all of the New Yorkers and I hope to see their curve flattening soon. I am going to throw this out there as the Medical Association is starting a PR campaign to remind everyone that most of your area health care providers are providing telemedicine. It is typically covered by insurance, so call your providers office and ask, I know it is being offered. Also, most of the local medical clinics are open and seeing patients. We are all taking precautions to provide social distancing, hand hygiene, and pre-appointment screening for respiratory illnesses. Medical offices are part of what is defined as essential services and in most cases are cleaner and safer than both chain pharmacies (think CVS) and grocery stores. I am feeling better about the country’s situation now that the stimulus bill in the Senate is looking positive and the President’s approach is going to be region-by-region and not one size fits all. Things are looking up for sure.