No Masks In Area Restaurants, Bars. A Boca Raton Area Hospital ICU Now At Capacity.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
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BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Just days after BocaNewsNow.com first published photos taken by stunned visitors to Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach and at Biergarten in Boca Raton, the COVID ICU and hospital census in the area have risen. While there is no suggestion that one is specifically related to the other, the photos showing unmasked crowds in Delray Beach and a crowded bar in Boca where no one appears to be wearing a mask — including a bartender — suggests “COVID guideline fatigue” is leading to surging numbers of sick and dead people.
The City of Boca Raton has taken no action against Biergarten. It is unclear if the City has actually cited any business for violating Boca Raton’s own mask requirements in months.
Biergarten, according to the Florida Secretary of State, is owned by Arturo Gismondi, the owner of Cannoli Kitchen, La Nouvelle Maison, Luff’s Fish House, Trattoria Romana, and other local establishments. Gismondi did not immediately respond to a message left Tuesday. No one responded to an email message transmitted to Biergarten on Monday. The restaurant’s voicemail box was full.
Early Wednesday morning: the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration reports 436 patients are hospitalized in Palm Beach County with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19.
The West Boca Medical Center ICU is completely full as of 6 a.m. — all 21 beds are taken. Wellington reports 26 ICU beds in use with just 2 available. Delray Medical Center reports 37 ICU beds in use with 15 available. Boca Raton Regional Hospital reports 28 ICU beds available with 13 available. Bethesda West reports 10 ICU beds available with 10 available — we note that Bethesda West ICU appears to have increased its capacity.
There are 7,719 COVID-19 patients hospitalized Wednesday morning in Florida.
What are you seeing? Use this form to share photos and information with BocaNewsNow.com. If you are reading in a news app, use this link to access the form. The Palm Beach County COVID Education and Compliance Team can be tipped at 561-24-COVID.
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