The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) received the first presumptive positive lab report of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) in a 72-year-old female resident of Monroe County.  This case has not yet been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lab.  All indications of this infection indicate that it was acquired from her travel from the United Kingdom. This individual is isolated at her home and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by the Department.  She is expected to make a full recovery.

DOH Monroe, Monroe County Emergency Management, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, and local municipalities are working in close collaboration following CDC protocols. Notice of this first case was received late Thursday, March 19.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.  The Department recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid any gatherings greater than 10 people;
  • Practice social distancing, limit interactions with other people;
  • Keep your hands clean by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing;
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty;
  • Limit interactions – avoid shopping at peak hours, avoid public transit, ask your employer if you can telecommute, and don’t shake hands as a social greeting;
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
  • Stay home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue;
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe; and
  • Avoid leaving home for 14 days if you have been in contact with someone who has or may have COVID-19, have traveled internationally to a place with widespread COVID-19 transmission, and have been exposed to someone with respiratory illness.

Anyone who has had close contact with someone showing symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, who has recently traveled to an area with widespread COVID-10 transmission or been in contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, should call ahead to a health care professional. The health care provider will work with the Department to determine if the person should be tested for COVID-19. Please visit www.flhealth.gov/covid-19 for Florida data and more information. To view Monroe County Emergency Management updates, visit www.monroecountyem.com/covid-19.

COVID-19 infographics in English, Spanish, and Creole available here: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/resources/#toolkitJump. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated 24/7 COVID-19 Call Center at (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

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