Officials of the Florida Department of Health say Highlands County has registered some 70 cases of the Corona Virus since records stared being kept some two months ago.
although they are not tracking recovery rates, they sat that 25 people have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. Reported, 11 people currently are in the hospital – although the severity of their infections has not been released.
The Corona Virus death toll for Highlands remains at six. Of the 600 tests administered so far, 529 have come back negative.
Highlands County Sheriff’s detectives have made and arrest in connection with the death of Christopher Reece. The 20-year-old Avon Park man was found shot and killed in the front yard of a Memorial Drive home this past Thursday night.
Authorities have arrested 18-year-old Dennis Wilberforce bent in connection with the case. He faces counts of first degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and drug charges among other things.
Deputies still are seeking details to try and determine how the shooting occurred.
Cancellations of large scale events and the limiting of public gatherings due to the Corona Virus has made it difficult for politicians to collect signatures, helping them to run for office. However, Highlands County Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg says the Florida Department of State has relaxed rules to help ease the burden.
The emergency rule allows candidates to accept petitions electronically filled out and emailed in. Voters still need to sign the cards to make them valid. Candidates have until May 11 to get their paperwork filed.
Highlands County’s largest single tourist attraction – the Sebring International Raceway, has been silenced for better than a month due to the Corona Virus.
Now, a number of groups have stepped forward to help support the track workers with a GoFundMe page. Dubbed “Support Sebring Workers – Our Track Family,” they are hoping to raise as much as $10,000 to be distributed for those who help facilitate the club races, driving schools and other events at the historic circuit.
Last month, the International Motorsports Association postponed the Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring until at least November.