Coronavirus Florida: State reports 39 new cases Sunday

Mar. 15--The Florida Department of Health reported another big surge in coronavirus cases Sunday, with 39 more people testing positive for the virus.

That brings the total cases in Florida to 115, up from just 14 on Monday. COVID-19, the disease caused by this coronavirus, has killed three people in the state and one Florida resident in California.

The new cases span a broad age range, from a 17-year-old Cuban in Hillsborough County to four 19-year-old women in Broward County and a 79-year-old Connecticut woman in Baker County.

The majority of the new cases are in South Florida, with Broward County continuing to be the biggest hotspot. No new cases were reported in Sarasota or Manatee counties.

Manatee County currently has four cases, while Sarasota County has one.

Signs point to a rapidly escalating health threat in the state.

A series of steps have been taken in recent days to contain the virus in Florida. On Saturday Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the state's emergency operations center to Level 1, the highest level, and banned visitors at all nursing homes, assisted living centers and similar facilities.

Daily life in Florida is certain to be disrupted for weeks, if not longer, as schools are closed, large events canceled and mass gatherings strongly discouraged.

Spurred on by the Florida Department of Education, schools across the state announced closures Friday to try and limit the spread of the virus.

DeSantis has advised local governments and private entities against large gatherings. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advised against such gatherings in guidelines issued for Florida Thursday that included a recommendation to extend spring break at schools.

Most Florida school districts will be closing schools until the end of the month, but it is not clear that will be sufficient. The state of Washington recently announced that schools there will be closed until the end of April.

Other disruptions range from Publix reducing store hours to elections officials cutting down on the number of voting precincts. Disney World has closed. Big sporting events have been canceled. Jury trials have been suspended statewide. The mayor of Miami even tested positive for the virus.

"I think this is something that we will be able to get through," DeSantis said Friday. "We are going to have to do this for the foreseeable future, but it is something that I think the people of Florida will be able to get through."

DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in Florida -- President Donald Trump also declared a national emergency Friday -- as he works to marshal resources to fight the pandemic. DeSantis announced Friday that he is mobilizing the Florida National Guard.

The governor also has been pushing to get more virus test kits in the state. On Friday DeSantis said Florida has 1,000 kits right now and 1,500 are expected next week. Each kit can test up to 250 people.

The potential for the outbreak to severely strain Florida's health care system is a particular concern. Hospitals are bracing for more patients and have been working to protect employees on the front lines of the response.

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