Daily Stats (Updated 4/1/2020 at 8:30 pm)
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As of today, Lee Health has:
- 39 COVID-19 patients isolated in our hospitals
- Submitted 3,039 specimens for testing
- Discharged 17 patients
- 146 employees quarantined; 8 employees exposed at work and positive with COVID-19
- Click here for table showing specimens sent to the lab, positive cases currently in our hospitals, presumptive positive cases and telemedicine visits.
Today’s NewsLee Health Supports Governor’s Executive OrderIn an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide executive order effective Friday, April 1 at 12:01 a.m., that requires all Floridians to limit movement to only essential services and activities. Our Lee Health leaders have advocated for more restrictive physical and social distancing measures and support this decision to flatten the curve and protect lives.Three Lee County COVID-19 DeathsLee Health is saddened to announce three additional patients have passed away from complications related to COVID-19. Our hearts break for these families as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.Gulf Coast Medical Center ExpansionThe 216-bed expansion at Gulf Coast Medical Center will officially open tomorrow, April 2. We appreciate the efforts of our Lee Health team and community partners for expediting this opening two months ahead of schedule. The hospital will now have 250 beds for COVID-19 patients and persons under investigation (PUIs), who will be together in these cohort units, separated from our other patients. The hospital will also have 18 additional negative pressure isolation rooms and 76 ICU and overflow ICU beds to treat COVID-19 patients.Physical Distancing While Staying Socially ConnectedThe World Health Organization (WHO) is advocating the phrase “physical distancing” instead of “social distancing” to better highlight the need to physically separate from others to limit the spread of the virus, but remain socially connected to family, friends and loved ones through virtual means. Social connection is beneficial for overall health and mental well-being, especially during this time of uncertainty.Here are some tips to stay socially connected while staying at home:- Check in with loved ones regularly, whether by phone, text, video or social media.
- Use video chat to stay in touch with family and friends. With services like FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp or Google Hangouts, you can plan meals together, play games or even share a glass of wine with loved ones via video.
Follow Lee Health on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Vimeo for free wellness tips, meditation classes and yoga sessions from our staff.Thank You, Wicked Dolphin Rum DistilleryWe are grateful for Wicked Dolphin Distillery for its commitment to supplying our health care heroes with 100 gallons of sanitizer every day. The distillery’s owner JoAnn Elardo and her team repurposed their rum into sanitizer to help us and the community stop the spread of COVID-19.
- 819 additional positive COVID-19 cases (802 Florida residents and 17 non-Florida residents) reported to the Florida Department of Health.
- There are currently 7,495 positive cases in Florida residents and 278 positive cases in non-Florida residents.
World Health Organization Update
SITUATION IN NUMBERS total (new) cases in last 24 hours
(last updated 10:00 AM CET 4/2/2020)
- Three new countries/territories/areas reported cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours: Botswana, Burundi, and Sierra Leone.
- WHO has released a scientific brief on the off-label use of medicines for COVID-19. A number of medicines have been suggested as potential investigational therapies, many of which are now being or will soon be studied in clinical trials, including the SOLIDARITY trial co-sponsored by WHO and participating countries. More information can be found here.
- WHO recognizes the importance of addressing the needs of refugees and migrants when preparing for or responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO European Region has released a guidance document to assist healthcare working with refugees and migrants. More information can be found here.
- At a press briefing, yesterday, PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne stressed that countries of the Americas must act now to slow the spread of COVID-19. WHO encourages countries to prepare hospitals and health facilities, protect their health personnel, and decide what social distancing measures need to be implemented and for how long, among other actions. Find more here.
- Public health and social measures to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19 must be implemented with the full engagement of all members of society. WHO has described four levels of COVID-19 transmission with varying public health and social measures depending on the local evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more details, please see ‘Subject in Focus’.