Before we get started – yes you are hearing increased air traffic, Officials at the Avon Park Air Force Range have confirmed that there’s f-16 Fighter training going on….
The latest statistics from the Florida Department of Health show that Highlands County’s Coronavirus count has gone up a few notches. There now are 65 cases here.
Although the severity of the infections are not known, 22 people have been hospitalized at some time during the course of their illness.
Florida Department of Health officials say they are not tracking recovery rates. Of the 516 tests administered, 449 have come back negative.
Six deaths have been recorded here. Federal officials say anyone who dies and tests positive for the Corona now will be listed as a corona fatality.
Officials from AdventHealth say they will be offering a drive-up test for CoronaVirus. However, only certain people will be accepted. Candidates MUST BE AT LEAST 65 YEARS OF AGE or older, They MUST BE IMMUNO-COMPROMISED and meet the criteria ESTABLISHED BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL.
Residents must pre-register, either by visiting www.AdventHealthCoronaVirusTesting.com or by calling 1-877-Virus-HQ. Those registered will receive an appointment. The drive-up testing reportedly will be held only Sunday at AdventHealth Sebring.
A number of local airports will be getting a shot in the arm from a nearly $900 million dollar United States Department of Transportation aid program.
The Sebring Regional Airport is in line for $69,000, the airports in Avon Park and Wauchula each will receive $30,000 while the Lake Wales airport can expect a $20,000 check.
The money is designed to help revenue lost due to decreased traffic – in the wake of the onset of the Coronavirus in America.
Avon Park city council members appear to be amenable to selling off their recycle bins. They instructed staff to offer them to the town of Lake Placid at a bargain price. Apparently there still are about 2,000 in the City of Charm – but utility officials say residents have not yet turned them in. They are asking residents to give them up so they might be sold.
Council also did their part in keeping the local economy growing. They approved an agreement to purchase 250 water meters from the Avon Park-based Avanti Company, at a cost of about $48,000.