STUART, Fla. — Martin County officials Thursday afternoon announced the first confirmed case of the coronavirus on the Treasure Coast -- a woman who had traveled out of the country.
At 2 p.m., Carolann Vitani with the Florida Department of Health in Martin County said the patient, whose age was not given, was confirmed through a drive-through Cleveland Clinic testing site.
A local epidemiology team has been in contact with the woman, who is in good condition, is currently self-quarantined and has not been in contact with anyone outside her home, said officials.
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“We commend this individual for what she had done. She called the hotline. She did an express-care online visit first, then from there went to the triage hotline to get an appointment. And that patient came in and was tested and followed the instructions. She self-isolated, has not been in contact with anyone outside her home, and she’s currently self-isolating and following the instructions from the Department of Health,” said Dr. Fernando Petry, the chief medical officer at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health North.
The Martin County Health Department has tested 10 people since their testing began. This is in comparison to 340 people tested by Cleveland Clinic since Sunday.
The health department said they did not receive as many testing kits as private testing groups because their criteria for testing was much more narrow.
There is a call center available 24 hours a day, seven days at week for residents at +1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Petry said starting Friday coronavirus testing will begin at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This will supplement the drive-through testing that began March 14 at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. Petry said 2,050 people have been screened by phone with 340 then meeting the requirements to be tested at the facility.
Health officials in Martin County say you should first call your doctor if you experience symptoms. If your doctor recommends testing for coronavirus, call the Cleveland Clinic hotline at 772-419-3360. You will be screened over the phone before receiving an appointment for testing.
A state of emergency was declared Monday in Martin County allowing officials to take emergency measures amid the coronavirus.
SECOND TREASURE COAST CASE
As of Thursday evening, there is now a second positive COVID-19 case on the Treasure Coast, a woman in Indian River County. In total, there are now 432 positive Florida cases with 29 in Palm Beach County.
Martin County Health department has tested 10 people since testing began in comparison to 340 people tested by Cleveland Clinic since Sunday. Health Dept says they did not get as many test kits as private testing groups have bc their criteria for testing was much more narrow
— Michelle Quesada (@M_Quesada) March 19, 2020