However, at least 420 of those patients are no longer in isolation. There are 17 COVID-19 related fatalities in Pasco. That means there are at least 534 individuals currently isolating because they've tested positive for COVID-19.

Pasco Requires Face Masks to Help Reduce Spread of COVID-19

~~Face coverings now required in all indoor businesses, county government facilities~~

PASCO COUNTY, FL ---- Pasco County is seeing a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, including an increase in our younger population. In an effort to prevent the spread of the virus, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles has issued an executive order requiring everyone in Pasco County to use face coverings while indoors at a public business or county government facility, effective immediately. Exceptions to the order include children under the age of two and anyone with an existing health condition that would be complicated by wearing a mask. Pasco County Code Enforcement will begin enforcing this order Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 5 p.m., focusing first on education.

Face Covering Order Requirements:

• Face coverings should cover nose and mouth

• Order applies to all businesses and county government facilities open to the public

• Businesses must ensure compliance with this Order

• Businesses in violation of this Order could face a fine of up to $250

• To read the full Order, please visit: bit.ly/2Yp8AxE

Using homemade or store-bought cloth face coverings has the potential to reduce the risk for infection and save lives. Face masks are available for pick-up at several Pasco County locations. To see the full list, visit our Coronavirus Information & Pasco County Operational Changes webpage.

If you feel compelled to report a violation of the Face Coverings Order, please call Pasco County Customer Service at 727.847.2411, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As a reminder, businesses can purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and apply for reimbursement through the Pasco CARES Small Business PPE Program here: bit.ly/SmallBizPPE

To see a list of COVID-19 testing sites in Pasco County, please visit: bit.ly/PascoTesting

CONTACT TRACING IS VITAL TO PUBLIC HEATH RESPONSE

Contact tracing is used to identify individuals that may have come in contact with an infected person and is critical in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Everyone needs to work together with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) for contact tracing to be effective.

In every COVID-19 epidemiological investigation, all individuals that may have been exposed are notified and given the proper guidance in order to care for themselves and to protect others. During this investigation, it is essential for people to answer the phone when the health department calls to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

People Who Have Been Diagnosed

• A DOH contact tracer will ask a series of questions that help determine who you’ve been in contact with and ask you to stay at home to self-isolate. Unless you give permission, your name will not be revealed to those you came in contact with, even if they ask.

• DOH will ask you to stay at home and self-isolate. Self-isolation means staying at home in a specific room away from other people and pets, and using a separate bathroom, if possible. This is critical in protecting those you live with, as well as your community. It also helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and can help keep your friends and neighbors healthy. Those who are unable to safely isolate may be eligible to stay in a hotel rented by Pasco County until fully recovered.

Close Contacts

• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, a DOH contact tracer will call to inform you that you’ve been exposed. They will ask you to stay at home and self-quarantine. Close contact means you were within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes. Self-quarantine means staying home, monitoring yourself, and maintaining social distancing (at least 6 feet from others at all times). You should remain in a specific room separate from other non-exposed people and pets in your home, and use a separate bathroom, if possible. You should stay at home and self-quarantine for 14 days, starting from the most recent day that you were possibly exposed to COVID-19. The contact tracer will inform you of the dates of your self-quarantine.

• If you need to be around other people or animals inside or outside of the home, wear a cloth face covering. This will help protect the people around you. If you need support or assistance with self-quarantine, DOH-Pasco will work with the county to provide assistance.

How You Can Help

• Pick up the phone when your health department calls.

• Follow health department guidance.

• Notify your healthcare provider if you become ill.

• Call your healthcare provider if you start to feel ill and you have not been tested for COVID- 19.

• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should stay at home and self-quarantine for 14 days, starting from the most recent day that you were possibly exposed to COVID-19. Monitor yourself and maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) from others at all times.

• Notify those who you had close contact with recently if you become ill.

• Know what symptoms mean you need to go to the hospital right away.

• Seek medical care if symptoms become severe. Severe symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

• The bottom line: Making a choice to help your health department in the fight against COVID-19 keeps you, your family, and your community safe.