- October 30, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The state of Florida is looking to increase COVID-19 testing across the state, including deploying new five-minute tests to hospital systems, a move Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he expects to occur soon.
“We’re really happy that this is going to get turned around relatively quickly, so we anticipate this to start landing in Florida probably within the next week and I think that this will be an absolute game changer," DeSantis said during a press conference in Tallahassee on Tuesday afternoon.
These novel tests could also eventually be sent to nursing home facilities, he added. The state has previously deployed 45-minute coronavirus tests to testing facilities in south Florida and north Florida. DeSantis said Florida has tested over 60,000 people since the start of the outbreak, with the majority of the tests performed within the last two-and-a-half weeks.
“We are increasing testing at a very fast rate," DeSantis said.
As of Tuesday evening, Volusia reported 75 cases of COVID-19. Flagler Country reported 17. Based on the Florida Department of Health daily COVID-19 report, Volusia County has tested 801 people, with 726 testing negative. Four are currently awaiting results.
Flagler has tested 199 people, and 182 have tested negative for COVID-19; 0 people are awaiting results.
DeSantis again encouraged seniors to remain at home. FDOH reported 38% of the 6,096 deaths from coronavirus have been people between 75-84 years old.
“You’re safer at home," DeSantis said. "We want you to come out of this thing on the other side strong and intact.”
He also said he continues to fight for more personal protective equipment for hospitals, and that 600,000 N95 masks will be delivered to counties and hospitals around the state soon. The hospital situation looks "good" at the moment, he added. The idea of flattening the curve is meant to help it stay that way.
“The virus is eventually going to do what it’s going to do, but if you can shift that and suppress it, then you’re going to have the healthcare system able to handle it," DeSantis said.
For that, DeSantis said people need to continue to follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the meantime, he said the state is looking to speed up infrastructure projects now that the roads are quiet.
“Because when you’re doing those on busy roads, it causes a lot of problems," DeSantis said. "Well those roads are no longer busy. If that’s going to be the case for the next month, then we’re going to need to make use of that time.”
