Only 111 Coronavirus Tests In Hendry, 13 In Glades

Today, the Florida Department of Health said the state’s most recent milestone in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 is the testing of more than 100,000 Floridians. Florida is now the state with the second-highest number of tested individuals, New York testing more individuals, being the epicenter now of the world's largest outbreak of COVID-19.

But, only 111 tests have been given in Hendry county with a population of 41,000, 99 tests in Okeechobee county, and only 13 in Glades county.

The Department has coordinated the establishment and continuing operations of eight state-supported COVID-19 testing sites, located in Florida’s largest communities in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Jacksonville:

The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
South Dade Government Center in Miami-Dade County
Marlins Stadium in Miami
The Orange County Convention Center
TIAA Bank Field Lot J in Jacksonville
CB Smith Park in Broward County
The FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in Palm Beach County
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa

These eight sites have conducted more than 24,000 tests.

Top Ten States for COVID-19 Testing
New York: 283,621
Florida: 102,108
California: 94,800
Washington: 82,599
New Jersey: 75,356
Pennsylvania: 70,030
Texas: 63,751
Massachusetts: 62,962
Louisiana: 58,498
Illinois: 48,048

SNAP Food Assistance Payment Increased

As directed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 27, 2020, the Department of Children and Families submitted a federal waiver to temporarily increase all Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients’ benefit amounts to the maximum monthly benefit based on household size.

DCF is actively working to implement increasing benefits to the maximum monthly benefit based on household size for the months of March and April. Clients can expect to receive their additional March funds as early as April 3, 2020.

For April, if you are a client that receives your regular benefit between April 1-7, you can expect to receive your benefit on April 8. If you are a client that receives your regular benefit after April 7, you can expect your additional benefit to be included as a part of your regularly scheduled benefit. Additionally, any new households approved for food assistance will receive the benefits within a week of being approved for benefits. Please note, customers who are already receiving the maximum monthly benefit will not receive an increase. A chart illustrating maximum benefit for household size is provided below for your reference.

People in Household/Maximum Benefit Amount

1 $194
2 $355

3 $509
4 $646
5 $768
6 $921
7 $1,018
8 $1,164
For Each Additional Person +$146

5th Positive Hendry COVID-19 Patient

LABELLE, FL. -- A fifth resident of Hendry County has tested positive for COVID-19.

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UPDATE: On Saturday at 11 a.m. April 4, 2020 a sixth Hendry county resident has tested positive. 3 women and 3 men have now tested positive from 111 total persons  tested in Hendry. In Okeechobee county, 1 man and 1 woman have tested positive out of 99 total tests. In Broward county 1,792 have tested positive from 15,802 tests and 31 deaths in Broward.

1 in 6,857 Hendry residents now have the virus, while 1 in 1,088 have tested positive in Broward. (1 in 134 people have the virus in New York City)
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UPDATE: At 6 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2020 a 4th person has tested positive in Glades County, Fl. 
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UPDATE: As of 11 a.m. Sunday, April 5, 2020 a 7th Hendry county resident tested positive. 1 in 5,878 Hendry residents have the virus. The latest two confirmed cases are: the sixth case, a 30 year old male resident of Clewiston and the seventh case, a 34 year old female resident of LaBelle.
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The 5th case is confirmed to be a 38 year old male resident of Clewiston. All 5 individuals who have tested positive in Hendry County are currently under isolation. 2 are hospitalized.

102 persons have been tested so far in Hendry with 2 hospitalized, and 12 have been tested in Glades where 3 are positive including 1 who has died. All were hospitalized.

Hendry County officials strongly urge residents to continue following the guidance provided by the CDC and DOH in order to slow the spread of COVID-19:

· Remember you are safer at home
· Wash your hands often with soap and water
· Cover your coughs and sneezes
· Clean and disinfect surfaces often
· If you are sick, call your medical provider or local health department

Governor Orders Stay At Home Rule

At the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, Governor DeSantis announced additional efforts in the state’s response to COVID-19:

Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 requiring all persons in Florida to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities for 30 days.

This order was issued after consultation with federal officials and in accordance with the recent 30-day extension of national social distancing guidelines for curbing the spread of COVID-19. The order will go into effect midnight Friday, April 3, 2020.

Governor DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation to accelerate transportation projects in Miami-Dade, Tampa, and Orlando areas by 4 to 6 weeks to assist Florida’s economy.

Susan Porter Dies At 58

Susan I Porter, age 58, of LaBelle, passed away March 28, 2020 in Lehigh Acres. She was born Sep. 1, 1961 in Ithaca, NY, to the late Richard E and the late Ida Irene (Jackson) Porter. 

She worked as a certified nursing assistant for many years. She was a loving mother, fiancée, grandmother, sister who will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. 

She leaves behind fond memories with her fiancé; David Welstead, daughters; Kaleigh Rodden, Keonna Yorkey, grandchildren; Rosalie Lawrence and Nolan Lawrence, brothers; Daniel Porter, David Porter, Richard Porter, Jr, and sister; Patricia Burke and many extended family members and close family friends. 

Cremation arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.