LABELLE, FL. -- Hendry County is currently experiencing a number of COVID-19 outbreak clusters that are a result of close contact environments. Information from the health department's contact tracing process has indicated that some of the cases may be originating from individuals who have traveled outside of Hendry County for work or personal reasons.
Additionally, recent cases are suspected to be originating from individuals who have not been following social distancing guidance given by the CDC and health department.
The Health Department said, "Please note that Hendry County is adjacent to counties that have some of the highest rates of cases in the state, so please take precautions if you must travel to these areas."
(Editor's Comment: Adjacent counties include Broward, Palm Beach, Lee, Collier and Glades county. All of those counties have lower virus cases per person than Hendry, although it is true there are total higher numbers of cases because of much higher populations in all but Glades and Hendry. Thus, it is true you should avoid large crowds or many contacts where populations are more crowded, but it is not true the the other counties have a higher infection rate than Hendry.
The rates of virus per person in those counties are: 1 in 343 (Broward), 1 in 407 (Palm Beach), 1 in 697 (Lee), 1 in 523 (Collier), 1 in 1,944 (Glades), and 1 in 309 persons in Hendry.
The data suggests that you are most likely to be infected in Hendry county and least likely in Glades county among all those counties. So ironically, it would be more prudent for adjacent counties to avoid contact with Hendry county and not the other way around.)
The breakdown of the outbreak clusters is as follows according the Health Department:
· 69.17% of the cases are known to be linked to other cases
· 34.59% of the cases are within Long Term Care Facilities
· 15.79% of the cases are workplace and family related
· 9.02% of the cases are from association with an out-of-county facility.
The breakdown of the outbreak clusters is as follows according the Health Department:
· 69.17% of the cases are known to be linked to other cases
· 34.59% of the cases are within Long Term Care Facilities
· 15.79% of the cases are workplace and family related
· 9.02% of the cases are from association with an out-of-county facility.
(Editor's Comment: The above percentages add up to more than 100% so it is not clear and is confusing what the real percentages are for the four categories listed. It does seem to be true that large populations of people in a limited area are more likely to spread the virus, i.e. Nursing homes, jails and prisons, and crowded living and other work environments.
The state's data does suggest about one-third of cases are from Nursing homes in Clewiston and LaBelle and it can be speculated that about nine percent are cases associated from the privately operated South Bay Correctional Facility.
There are 63 prisoners with the virus and 48 staff in the 1,948 prisoner facility or about 1 in every 31 prisoners, making it a "hotspot" in the area. 806 prisoners are under quarantine there. (This paragraph updated as of Wednesday, May 13.)
Additionally, the city of Belle Glade in Palm Beach county is another nearby "hotspot" with about 1 in every 100 residents testing positive with the virus.)
The health departments in Hendry and Glades Counties have been working closely with these groups to stop the spread of COVID-19. Health department actions so far include:
· Epidemiological investigations and contact tracing
· Guidance for Isolation
· Infection control assessments and guidance
· Monitoring and continuous follow up with those affected
· Distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE)
· COVID-19 educational materials in multiple languages
· Industry specific guidance and best practices
· "Clearing" individuals who no longer require isolation
To stop the spread of COVID-19:
· Avoid travel to higher risk areas (areas known to have high numbers of cases) See Editor's Comment Above
· Follow social distancing, even when you are at home and especially if someone in your home is sick
· Stay at home if you are sick, or if you have been around someone who has been sick.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
· Cover your coughs and sneezes
· Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces
There are 63 prisoners with the virus and 48 staff in the 1,948 prisoner facility or about 1 in every 31 prisoners, making it a "hotspot" in the area. 806 prisoners are under quarantine there. (This paragraph updated as of Wednesday, May 13.)
Additionally, the city of Belle Glade in Palm Beach county is another nearby "hotspot" with about 1 in every 100 residents testing positive with the virus.)
The health departments in Hendry and Glades Counties have been working closely with these groups to stop the spread of COVID-19. Health department actions so far include:
· Epidemiological investigations and contact tracing
· Guidance for Isolation
· Infection control assessments and guidance
· Monitoring and continuous follow up with those affected
· Distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE)
· COVID-19 educational materials in multiple languages
· Industry specific guidance and best practices
· "Clearing" individuals who no longer require isolation
To stop the spread of COVID-19:
· Avoid travel to higher risk areas (areas known to have high numbers of cases) See Editor's Comment Above
· Follow social distancing, even when you are at home and especially if someone in your home is sick
· Stay at home if you are sick, or if you have been around someone who has been sick.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
· Cover your coughs and sneezes
· Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces
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