Corona virus numbers from the Florida Department of Health this morning showed four new cases of Coronivirus and 147 new negative cases here. Of the 2,610 tests administered so far, 2,501 have come back negative with 104 positives.
Currently, there have been 37 people hospitalized at some point during their illness and eight fatalities have been tied to the Coronavirus here.
A drive thru event was this morning at The Camp & Conference Center in Lake Placid. Another will be held Thursday at the Highlands County Health Department.
Officials from AdventHealth say they have terminated their contract with a company that had been doing Corona virus testing for them. Officials of the operation say the tests were not deemed to be reliable.
In fact, they say that anyone who took tests at any of their facilities – including here in Highlands County – needs to be re-tested. The hospital had at least one event here – those results reportedly were added into the overall testing numbers kept by the Florida Department of Health.
NEWS 5/19/20 BF
NO BURN BAN
Highlands County commissioners met this morning in regular session. It was the first time back in chambers in a month. Among other things, they lifted the burn ban.
Local fire officials are asking residents to take care in any burn activities.
This year’s Avon Park High School senior class is reviving an old tradition – cruising the mall. Organizers say they can have fun while keeping government-suggested distancing. Plans are to gather Friday evening at 7:30 on the west end of the mall by the Avon Park Church of the Nazarene.
Cruising will begin at 8:00. Participants are encouraged to wear Avon Park red, decorate their cars with Red Devil signs and flags, and come out and show their spirit.
Last week, Highlands County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a high speed chase into Polk County. Yesterday, Polk deputies chased a speeding SUV down into Highlands. Apparently, the pursuit ensued when Polk authorities tried to serve a man with a warrant.
The vehicle reportedly made a loop through Highlands and was back in Polk by the time he and a passenger were arrested. There were no injuries in the incident.
A Frostproof man has been arrested in connection with an Avon Park home invasion robbery. Highlands County Sheriff’s officials say 20-year-old Cristoval Sebastian Gonzalez has been arrested in connection with the case. A warrant also has been issued for another Frostproof man – 30-year-old Mario Alberto Alvarado.
The two have been implicated in a May 8 incident on Verona Avenue in Avon Park. According to reports, the home was broken into, at least one shot was fired and one person was assaulted.