2 'presumptive positive' coronavirus cases in Florida, gov. declares public health emergency

A general view of the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. (Photo: AP)

The Florida governor’s office has confirmed two “presumptively positive” cases of coronavirus in the state Sunday.

A presumptive positive case has tested positive by a public health laboratory and is pending confirmatory testing at CDC.

The office of Gov. Ron DeSantis confirms two individuals in the State of Florida tested “presumptively positive” for coronavirus (COVID-19), including a resident of Manatee County and a resident of Hillsborough County.

DeSantis and the State Health Officer and Surgeon General, Dr. Scott Rivkees, have declared a public health emergency in the state.

Tomorrow I will be in Tampa and Miami with Surgeon General Rivkees and other officials to discuss our continued statewide response on #COVID19. https://t.co/sMrWkQlyoi
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 2, 2020

According to the governor’s office, Florida Department of Health will actively monitor, at a minimum, all persons meeting the definition of a Person Under Investigation (“PUI”) as defined by the CDC for COVID-19 for a period of at least 14 days or until the PUI tests negative for COVID-19. Active monitoring by the Florida Department of Health will include at least the following:

Risk assessment within 24 hours of learning an individual meets the criteria for a PUI
Twice-daily temperature checks

Florida has 2 presumptive positive #COVID19 cases: one adult resident of Hillsborough County and one adult resident of Manatee County. Both individuals are isolated and being appropriately cared for.
— Florida Dept. Health (@HealthyFla) March 2, 2020

DeSantis will hold a press conference at the Florida Department of Health 10:30 a.m. in Tampa and 2 p.m. in Miami-Dade County Monday.

The CDC currently recommends mitigation measures in communities with COVID-19 cases, including staying at home when sick, keeping away from others who are sick and staying at home when a household member is sick with respiratory disease symptoms or if instructed to do so by public health officials or a health care provider.

Please make sure to visit https://t.co/vmFEdKoqXV for up to date information on #COVID19 and tips to stay healthy. Click here for more information: https://t.co/ruG8rPbIWN
— Florida Dept. Health (@HealthyFla) March 2, 2020

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