Local Medical Professionals Fear Spring Break Surge
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Spring Break is just weeks away and health experts again fear that inaction by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will lead to another massive COVID surge in Florida.
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Caregivers speaking with BocaNewsNow.com, but asking to remain unidentified due to the controversial nature of their comments, say that the apparent spread of the U.K. variant in Florida — combined with no COVID rule or regulation enforcement in the state — is a powder keg waiting to explode.
“Look at our ICU numbers,” said an area medical professional. “If we’re not packed, we’re near packed. That’s bad for people who live here. But imagine bringing thousands of college kids and even families to the area. Where do they go if they git sick?”
While hospital COVID counts in South Palm Beach County continue to decline, ICU’s remain abnormally full — with several, including West Boca Medical Center, Bethesda West, Wellington, and Delray Medical Center remaining at or near capacity.
“It’s a lot worse than people realize,” said an area nurse. “People shouldn’t be lulled into thinking things are getting dramatically better. They’re not.”
The Centers for Disease Control reports that Florida leads the nation with the number of B.1.1.7 cases. According to the CDC, 301-400 cases have been reported or confirmed in Florida. That’s the highest number in the United States.
Local municipalities in Florida remain unable to enforce mask mandates or other COVID-19 rules and regulations involving individuals. Gov. DeSantis has prohibited individuals from being fined or otherwise punished. But businesses are fair game for fines and citations, although many cities remain slow to act to consumer complaints, often only issuing verbal warnings or low value citations, if anything at all.
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