4.10.20 COVID-19 Update PDF
4.10.20 COVID-19 Update PDF
4.10.20 COVID-19 Update PDF
Mission: Governor
To protect, promote & improve the health
of all people in Florida through integrated
state, county & community efforts. Scott A. Rivkees, MD
State Surgeon General
Your local health department is here to assist you with questions related to COVID-19 (new coronavirus). There
is ONE confirmed case in Gulf County and TWO confirmed cases in Franklin County.
For daily Franklin County COVID-19 updates straight to your phone: text FranklinCV19 to 888777.
Follow the CDC.gov website for the latest guidance on COVID-19 and check out Floridahealth.gov to keep up
with state-specific updates.
SAFER AT HOME
On April 1, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 requiring all persons in Florida
to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or
provide essential services or conduct essential activities for 30 days. Senior citizens and individuals with a
significant underlying medical condition (such as chronic lung disease, moderate-to-severe asthma, serious
heart conditions, immunocompromised status, cancer, diabetes, severe obesity, renal failure and liver
disease) are advised to stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
MENTAL HEALTH
COVID-19 have you feeling…STRESSED/ANXIOUS/DEPRESSED/UNSURE? NEED SUPPORT? CALL 850-270-8911,
available 9-5pm EST. If you are in need of immediate mental health services call one of the agencies below
available 24/7:
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• SAMSA Disaster Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 or the Crisis Text Line: Text
“HOME” to 741-741
• Florida Blue, in partnership with New Directions Behavioral Health, is providing a free emotional support
resource for all Floridians even if not covered by Florida Blue insurance. Any Floridian – even if
uninsured or insured by another plan – can call 833-848-1762 for support in managing feelings of stress,
anxiety, grief or fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For information on how you can make a facemask at home, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html and watch this video https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4.
TESTING
Call your health care provider first or if you are symptomatic to determine the need for testing. If a person
thinks they have COVID-19, they should call their health care provider before going to their office so the
provider can take precautions to prevent exposing other people. In some cases, they are going to meet you in
the parking lot. It’s just a precaution. We are really trying to keep our healthcare workers safe. Other patients
safe. Review your signs, symptoms and travel history with your physician. Your provider is going to evaluate you
for possible causes and rule out other respiratory illnesses (ex. Flu) before testing for COVID-19. If testing is
required, the provider will contact the county health department to coordinate COVID-19 testing. If you do not
have a provider, the health department can help you coordinate this care.
• To be prioritized for testing, patients must meet the state’s criteria, which evaluates a combination of
symptoms and risk factors. Their samples will be sent to the closest laboratory.
• If you don’t meet priority criteria, you can discuss with your provider about possibly getting tested at a
commercial laboratory (e.g. LabCorp or Quest).
• State lab results are generally available within 24-48 hours. Commercial labs can take 5 – 6 days.
Turnaround time for testing may be affected by demand.
• A person who thinks they were exposed and has no symptoms can self-isolate in their home for 14 days.
Follow the CDC steps to help protect other people in your home and community:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
There are several resources available for rural residents and business coping with the impact of COVID-
19. Please visit the Rural Development Coronavirus Response page: https://www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus
~~LOCAL ORDINANCES~~
BOCC UPDATE
On Thursday, April 9, 2020 the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting and
issued the following ordinances for Franklin County, Fl: Emergency Ordinance #2020-09, temporarily limiting the
use of all public boat ramps owned and operated by Franklin County resident, Emergency Ordinance #2020-10,
temporarily closing all beaches and public beach accesses in Franklin County, Emergency Ordinance #2020-11
prohibits camping or living at any time in public parks, fishing piers and boat ramps in unincorporated Franklin
County.
CITY OF APALACHICOLA
The City of Apalachicola issued a State of Emergency Proclamation for public boat ramps. Ramps will only be
open for use by Franklin County residents or property owners, any vehicle or trailer with out-of-county or out-
of- state license plates shall be forbidden from using City of Apalachicola Public Boat ramps, unless they can
show proof that they have been in the city for more than two weeks, at either a long-term rental or temporary
residence with family or friend. This order does not apply to those engaged in formal business or government
business in Apalachicola or Franklin County are exempt from this rule.
CITY OF CARRABELLE
During a Special Meeting of the Carrabelle City Commission, held on April 9, 2020, the Carrabelle City
Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance closing City public boat ramps to all non-
residents and non-property owners of Franklin County. All public boat ramps and associated parking lots owned
by the City of Carrabelle are limited to use by residents and non-resident property owners of Franklin County
and to those Franklin County residents holding commercial fishing licenses. Those authorized to use the City of
Carrabelle public boat ramps will be asked to provide proper identification such as drivers license with Franklin
County address for residents and tax bill, deed to property, signed lease or utility bill as well as drivers license for
non-resident property owners.
It will be unlawful for members of the public who are not either residents of or non-resident property owners of
Franklin County or those non-residents holding commercial fishing licenses, to use or recreate for traditional
purposes all public boat ramps and associated parking lots owned by the City of Carrabelle, Florida. Violators
will be charged with second degree misdemeanor.
This ordinance will take effect immediately on the 10th day of April 2020 at 12:00 AM.
This ordinance shall sunset automatically upon the expiration of the state of emergency declared by the State of
Florida and Franklin County due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
BOCC VISITOR UPDATES
On Friday, March 27, 2020 the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners signed and resolution in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Per the resolution, visitors (day trips or extended stays) are remain in their
home in their primary communities. It also advises and directs a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for visitors
entering Franklin County from highly affected areas. Additionally, beach closures were extended 14 days
(through April 9th).
Keep in mind Florida also has defined areas popping up around the state. Examples like Broward, Miami-Dade,
Palm Beach, and more. CDC Guidance for Travelers from Countries with widespread Sustained (Ongoing)
transmission can be found at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
On March 27th, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-87, ordering all parties engaged in rental of
vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making
new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order.
On March 27th, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-86, directing all persons who enter the State of
Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the State of Louisiana, inclusive of those
entering the State of Florida by roadways, to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry
into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter.
RESTAURANTS
On March 20, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-71, directing all restaurants and food establishments
to suspend on-premises food and alcohol consumption for customers.
CITY GOVERNMENTS
The City of Carrabelle will be closed to the public until further notice. Use our Dropbox for Water & Sewer bill
payments. Call 850-697-2727 for more details. All Carrabelle parks, playgrounds, and public restrooms are
closed until further notice.
The City of Apalachicola will limit contact with the public until further notice. Use our Dropbox for Water &
Sewer bill payments. Call 850-653-9319 for more details and 850-653-6845 for after hours Water & Sewer
information.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The Sheriff’s office is no longer allowing visitors in the lobby. Office staff will remain at work and will be
accessible by telephone and email. If you must meet with a staff member, please call to make an appointment.
Call (850) 670-8519 for more information.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
In order to promote social distancing and discourage gatherings of 10 or more people, the health department
lobby will no longer receive visitors. Clients are arriving at the health department for appointments or
birth/death certificates are encouraged to call the front desk at (850) 653-2111 ext. 2, before entering the lobby.
Anyone seeking additional services should also call the front desk before attempting to enter the lobby. We’re
here for you! Give us a call to discuss curbside pickup for birth control, medications, or emergency
contraception.
PHARMACY
Buy-Rite Drugs lobby will be closed to customers until further notice. Customers will need to call in medication
refills and pay over the telephone. Call (850) 653-8825 for more information.
LIBRARIES
All libraries are closed until further notice. The Wi-Fi services for both the Eastpoint and Carrabelle branches will
remain on 24/7 and is accessible from the parking lot.
ABOUT COVID-19
COVID-19 transmission is more commonly spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose
or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. This is why social distancing and keeping at least 6
feet between you and other people is so important. A person can get COVID-19 by touching droplets that can
land on objects and surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth, although, this is a less common mode
of transmission. The vast majority of cases have come from close, sustained contact with an individual with
COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days
or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special
treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems
and diabetes, and those with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop serious illness. There is
currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
As a reminder, the Department always recommends everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of
respiratory diseases, including:
A test-based strategy is preferred for discontinuation of transmission-based precautions for patients who are
hospitalized or severely immunocompromised or being transferred to a long-term care or assisted living facility.
STAYING INFORMED:
To get the latest information, visit FloridaHealth.gov and follow on Social Media:
Florida Department of Health: Twitter @HealthyFla -or- Facebook Florida Department of Health (DOH)
Franklin County Florida Emergency Management: Facebook Franklin County Florida Emergency Management
Gulf/Franklin County Community Health Improvement Partners: Facebook Gulf/Franklin County Community
Health Improvement Partners