Florida sees increased coronavirus tests and a surge in cases

The latest numbers show the state has tested about nine times more people for coronavirus than it did just a week ago. At the same time, the number of positive cases has surged. It makes sense that if you test more, you’ll find more coronavirus. But that’s only a partial explanation for the swift rise in Covid-19 cases. USF Public Health Professor Jay Wolfson says the lack of testing up until now means that people who didn’t know they were infected could have given the virus – in a worst case -- to a thousand people in a week. [Source: Health News Florida]

Florida to allow recently retired health care workers to return to work

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that he plans to sign an executive order allowing recently retired law enforcement and health care professionals to return to the workforce to help fight coronavirus. “We need to have folks that are willing to return to service,” DeSantis said. DeSantis said his order will allow recently retired law enforcement and health care personnel to return to work immediately. [Source: WESH]

Hotels could be used for medical surge

Health care facilities are preparing for the worst-case scenario: a medical surge that could overwhelm bed space inside hospitals. Some facilities are looking into other buildings and spaces that could be used to care for a large wave of COVID-19 patients. Dr. Stanley Marks, chief medical officer at Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County, talks about COVID-19 preparation efforts. [Source: WLRN]

Southwest Florida medical practice digests large growth plans

Lakewood Ranch physician Dr. Arun Khazanchi takes the future of the medical practice he leads, Florida Digestive Health Specialists, personally. As in personalized medicine. Like many physicians and health care providers, Khazanchi can see medicine is moving fast toward a world where biomarkers, genetic research and tailored treatments dominate health care — no matter the payment system. [Source: Business Observer]

DeSantis orders Attorney General to investigate South Florida hospital

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on the state attorney general Friday to investigate a South Florida hospital charging $150 per test for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus spreading rapidly across the state. While DeSantis did not name the hospital, Larkin Community Hospital operates a drive-thru testing site in Hialeah and charges $150 per test. [Source: WUSF]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› What is a child health advocate in Florida? [NBC-2]
From Gun safety to ATV safety, even sleep safety, child advocates at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida are focused on keeping children out of the hospital. “A child advocate is somebody that’s passionate about keeping kids safe in the community, whether that means one-on-one with the family, or one-on-one with kids, grandparents,” said Sally Kreuscher, child advocacy program coordinator with Golisano Children’s Hospital.

› Medical cannabis access an ‘essential service’ — sort of [The Lakeland Ledger]
With nearly 328,000 Floridians officially registered as medical marijuana patients, the coronavirus has forced the state’s hand into declaring cannabis an essential component of health care. Unless, of course, you’re a new patient in need of a card. In that case, you may be out of luck, for at least through the middle of next month.

› Sarasota quilters sew face masks for health care workers [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
As the coronavirus pandemic mounts in the U.S. each day, the nation is facing a shortage of face masks for health care workers. The South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild, like other sewing groups across the country, tapped into their talent to work on a solution. The guild’s members have been busy at work for the past week sewing cotton face masks for health care professionals to wear on top of their disposable N95 masks.

› Hillsborough among areas receiving hydroxychloroquine [WUSF]
Hillsborough County is among the areas in Florida being hardest hit with coronavirus that will receive a shipment of hydroxychloroquine, a drug that is being touted by some as a possible treatment for the symptoms of coronavirus. During a news conference on Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he worked with David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel – who he said he considers a friend -- to arrange the shipment from Israeli company Teva Pharmaceuticals.