New numbers released by the Florida Department of Health show one new case of the Corona virus here, and more than 300 negative tests. So far, 2,007 tests have been conducted locally. There have been 1,907 negatives and 99 positive cases.
In all, 33 people have been hospitalized at some point during their illness and there have been eight fatalities tied to the Corona virus locally.
More testing is planned. Drive-thru testing for the Corona virus is set to begin tomorrow morning. That will be held from 9-11am at the Florida Department of Health location on George Boulevard South of Sebring.
Those being tested will be asked to provide basic information to health officials. The test will be a nasal swab with samples sent to a commercial lab for testing. Results will be provided as soon as available
Health officials ask people to limit passengers in the vehicle to no more than five people to a vehicle and only those being tested.
Restaurants and businesses have been opened at 25-percent capacity for nearly a week now. Today, barbershops, beauty parlors and nail salons also will be permitted to do business again on a limited basis.
Officials from AdventHealth say elective surgeries will begin at their facilities as well today.
It will be another virtual session for the Avon Park city council this evening. They again are slated to take up a suggestion by councilwoman Maria Sutherland for a stimulus package to businesses in the City of Charm. Sutherland has suggested a direct payout from the city coffers. However, other council members have said they prefer a reduction in rates – such as water & sewer charges,
In other action, the council will look at a resolution to facilitate outside dining facilities and talk about the re-opening of city parks.
Another fatal shooting in Avon Park. This one reportedly happened shortly after midnight Saturday morning in the area of Hal MacRae Boulevard and Delaney Avenue. Dead is 29-year-old Alexander Nowell. Two others reportedly were wounded in the incident but are expected to recover. Their names have not been released.
Highlands County Sheriff’s detectives reportedly are trying to piece together what happened. Anyone with information is asked to call the confidential TIPS line at 1-800-226-TIPS,
A house fire in Avon Park Lakes brought out units from all over the north end of the county early yesterday morning. Units from Highlands Lakes, Sun ‘N Lake, West Sebring, Desoto City and the Avon Park fire departments responded to the address on South Graham Road off State Road 64.
Officials say it appears the house was unoccupied at the time of the blaze. There were no injuries and no dollar damage estimate is available. The State Fire Marshal’s office has been called in to determine the cause.