BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners has extended the mask mandate until at least mid-April. There is significant concern that Spring Break visitors will initiate another surge, as COVID-19 variants take hold in the area.
“The mandatory facial covering order in Palm Beach County is being extended to mid-April,” according to an advisory issued by the County. “Mayor Kerner said there has been very good compliance by area businesses and establishments, but due to the influx of spring visitors and the presence of COVID-19 variants that spread more quickly, it is important to continue taking precautions.”
Dr. Alina Alonso, the health department director for Palm Beach County, also says the variant is concerning.
”Dr. Alonso cautioned against letting our guard down and possibly allowing a fourth wave,“ said Alonso in a late Wednesday news conference. “It’s important that even if you get vaccinated, that you continue to wear your mask in public,”
She noted Florida currently has 850 different variants of COVID-19, the most of any state. Statewide, 5 people with the variant have died. All were hospitalized and none had any travel history. Three variants of COVID-19 are present in Palm Beach County with 75 active variant cases.
