We might have to stick this pandemic out a little longer.
According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, “relaxing social distancing may be possible with containment strategies that include testing, contact tracing, isolation, and limiting gathering size,” but not until after June 14.
That is when, according to their current model, Florida would be expected to have a manageable number of COVID-19 cases.
The former Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Craig Fugate, told CBS12 News that Florida should be reopened “slowly.”
“I think it would be better to slowly and more deliberately reopen, so we’ll perhaps not have to shut down again,” said Craig Fugate. “If we begin moving back without testing, we’re going to have to be prepared what happens in two to three weeks if [coronavirus] starts getting bad and we’ll have to change what we’re doing."
According to the Florida Department of Health, there are 30,174 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state. As of now, Florida is only one of ten states in the country with over 1,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths.
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter to get the most up-to-date news + views. Subscribe to our newsletter, too.
