- October 29, 2024
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Updated 12:54 p.m. June 12
The Department of Health in Flagler County has received 67,000 masks and is looking for people and organizations that would accept them as donations. Call 386-437-7350.
“We want to get all 67,000 distributed to you in the community,” Bob Snyder, DOH administrator said June 10 at the Palm Coast Virtual Town Hall. “I’m pleading with you. If you know of an organization or group that is in need of masks or facial coverings, call me. … We want to get these out to you. This is the most inexpensive, most effective, nonintrusive sacrifice we can make on behalf of ourselves and our loved ones.”
DOH Medical Director Dr. Stephen Bickel said he’d like to see “virtually 100%” of the people wearing masks when indoors in public places.
“It’s such a simple thing that we can all do for the greater good of mankind,” Flagler County Emergency Management Chief Jonathan said.
“Please jump on the bandwagon,” Snyder said.
Also at the Town Hall meeting, Lord reported that 50-75 people have been tested daily at the Daytona State College site of late. The capacity is 150 per day.
“We will continue to offer that service until the demand falls below 50 per day,” Lord said. “Then, it will continue at the Health Department.”
He encouraged the community not to hesitate to be tested.
“I don’t want the demand to drop,” Lord said. “I want folks to get tested, so we understand what COVID-19 looks like.”
To schedule a free test at DSC, call 313-4200.
Florida has seen “some pretty decent spikes,” but the health care system has not been impacted in Flagler County in a dramatic way, Lord added. In fact, the rate of testing has been higher than the state average, and the average positivity rate has been lower than average.
“That means something is being done right in our community,” Lord said. “Our residents and our businesses and our governments — kudos to all of our players who are keeping the spread down.”
Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte warned the community that, as the weather cools down in the fall, and when people start to gather in larger groups, there could be a resurgence of COVID-19.
“We are just starting to see the sunlight,” Forte said. “It’s not a time to celebrate or rejoice yet. We still have to be dedicated to the task at hand.” That means social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, he added.
