Category: Covid-19

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) | City of Weston, FL

December 12, 2020

CITY OF WESTON

Emergency Declarations

On March 16, 2020, the City of Weston Declared aLocal State of Emergency in order to properly respond to the outbreak. The Local State of Emergency has been extended for one week at a time by the following declarations:

Most current Emergency Orders:

City of Weston - Emergency Order 2020-29| Suspends the requirement for in-person quorum and establishes rules of procedure for the use of technology to conduct virtual meetings of the City Commission

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-28 | Adopted Broward Emergency Order 20-28 which extends indoor dining until 12 a.m.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-27| Adopted Broward County Emergency Order 20-27 andincludes rules of procedures for hybrid public meetings.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-26| Adopted Broward County Emergency Order 20-26.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-25| Adopted Broward County Emergency Order 20-25.

All other City of Weston Emergency Orders issued pertaining to the COVID-19 emergency:

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-01 | Adopted Governor's Executive Order 20-68.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-02| Restaurants shall cease on-premises dining, but may continue to remain operational for drive-thru, delivery and pickup service.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-03| Limited public gatherings of any type, whether organized or otherwise, to 10 people or less.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-04 | Closed all non-essential businesses as per Broward County Emergency Order 20-01, and Adopted Executive Orders 20-51, 20-52, 20-68, 20-69, 20-70, 20-71 and 20-72 issued by the Governor.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-05 | "Safer at Home" order in effect as of 12:01 a.m. on March 26, 2020. Residents may travel to and from essential businesses only, and perform other essential functions, abiding by specific social distancing measures.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-06 |Implements the procedures and rules to enable the City to have public meetings utilizing Communications Media Technology according to the Governors Executive Order 20-69.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-07 | Closes all HOA/Condo common use recreational facilities.

City of Weston -Emergency Order No. 2020-08 | Encourages everyone in Weston to wear cloth masks outside of their homes, per the CDC's guidelines on cloth face coverings.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-09| Requires cloth facial coverings (over nose and mouth) in certain essential businesses (and urges the use at all other essential businesses) and for delivery personnel, urges businesses to adopt polices on personal protective equipment for employees, and adopts Broward County Emergency Order 20-06. This order supersedes Order No. 2020-08.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-10| Effective April 29, this order implements Phase I re-openings of passive parks and golf courses; and continue to require facial covering with exceptions. Facial coverings are not recommended for children under 2, those with difficulty breathing, food service personnel where it would pose as a hazard or health risk. The requirements shall not apply to the extent subject to a religious objection.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-11| Phase I reopenings for restaurants, retail, personal services, common area recreational amenities, including swimming pools within housing developments and private clubs. Also providing fortemporary expansion of outdoor seating for restaurantsas of May 18, 2020. This Emergency Order repeals all other City of Weston Emergency Orders, with the exception ofEmergency Order 20-06regarding technology.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-12| Effective May 22, this order adoptsBroward County Emergency Order 20-12, which clarifies business and resident responsibilities for adherence to social distancing, facial covering, and sanitation requirements as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Restaurants still have the opportunity to apply fortemporary expansion of outdoor seating.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-13|adopts Broward Countys Emergency Order 20-13 with no changes.This order allows for commercial gyms/fitness centers and hotels to operate in the City effective May 26, with certain capacity restrictions and operational guidelines in place.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-14| Adopts Broward County Emergency Order 2020-14 which allows for doubles-play of tennis and pickleball, lessens restrictions on the beach, allows for tattoo and massage establishments to open, and provides for additional guidelines for businesses.

City of Weston - Emergency Order 2020-15| Permits youth activities and summer camps, indoor amusement facilities and vacation rentals to operate within guidelines established by Broward County Emergency order 20-15.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-17| Adopts Broward County's Emergency Order 20-17 regarding required signage regarding facial covering and social distancing requirements for restaurants and retail.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-18| Effective Friday, June 26, strengthens enforcement of regulations for businesses -- requiring temporary shutdowns of businesses if they are deemed to be non-compliant, and providing for application requirements should a closed business wish to reopen. Requires individuals to wear facial coverings in common areas of HOA's and condos.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-19| Adopts Broward County Emergency Order 20-20 expanding and clarifying the facial covering requirements and requires restaurants and other establishments to cease on-premises dining and sale/consumption of alcoholic beverages from 12:01 a.m. until 5 a.m. until further notice. Delivery, drive through, take out or pickup service may continue during these hours.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-20| Adopts Broward County Emergency Order 20-21, an all-inclusive order that clarified prior emergency orders and the mandated guidelines for businesses and amenities as well as the use of facial coverings by all Broward County residents (with some exceptions.)

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-21| No establishment shall serve or transact any business with any person or patron who fails to comply with facial covering requirements.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-22| Adopted Broward County Emergency Order 20-22.

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-23| Adopted Broward County Emergency Order 20-23

City of Weston - Emergency Order No. 2020-24| Adopted Broward County Emergency Order 20-21

Broward County Emergency Order 20-28| Extends indoor dining until 12 a.m.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-27| Clarifies requirements for amenities, establishments and facial coverings.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-26| Permits all businesses to open effective immediately, but must operate.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-25| Permits event function space to open with limitations, spectators may attend non-professional sports games (such as high school athletic events) with certain restrictions, small groups of ten (10) or less individuals may engage in athletic activities, and additional flexibility for HOA common area amenities within housing developments.

All other Broward County Emergency Orders issued pertaining to the COVID-19 emergency:

Broward County Emergency Order 20-01| Closed all non-essential businesses

Broward County Emergency Order 20-02| Closed all County parks and provided for other measures to encourage social distancing.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-03| Announcing a Shelter-in-Place: Safer at Home Policy for residents.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-04 | Further clarified essential businesses.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-05 | Closure of recreational amenities.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-06| Further clarifies the operation of essential businesses, which replaces prior orders 20-01 and 20-03.

Broward County has issuedEmergency Order 20-07| Requires the use of facial coverings at all essential businesses.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-08| Phased reopening of parks, golf courses and boating/marina activities.

Emergency Order 20-09added further detail to order 20-08.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 2020-10| Phase I reopening effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 18, with capacity restrictions and other guidelines for restaurants, retail, personal services, community room and fitness centers located within housing developments, community pools located within private clubs or housing developments and museums.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-12| Effective May 22, this order consolidates directives contained in several previous orders and clarifies business and resident responsibilities for adherence to social distancing, facial covering, and sanitation requirements as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-13| Relating to beaches, commercial gyms and hotels.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-14| Allows for additional activities on the beach, double play is now permitted for tennis and pickleball, tattoo and massage establishments may now open and additional guidelines for businesses are provided.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-15| Permits youth activities and summer camps, indoor amusement facilities (like movie theaters and bowling alleys) and vacation rentals to operate within specific guidelines and capacity restrictions.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-16| Allows for local pari-mutel facilities to open Friday, June 12 instead of Monday, June 15, with certain parameters established for operations.

Broward County Emergency Order 20-17| Specific signage required for restaurants and retail establishments. The signage is intended to alert customers to local emergency orders about facial coverings, social distancing, and methods to report violations.

Signage can be found here:

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-18|Effective Friday, June 26, 2020, outlines penalties forestablishments that fail to comply withEmergency Orders mandating sanitization, social distancing, facial coverings and other requirements intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-19|All beaches in Broward County will be closed from 12:00 a.m. on July 3, through 11:59 p.m. on July 5, 2020.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-20|Expands the requirements for use of facial coverings and limits restaurants and other establishments to take out and delivery only (no onsite consumption) during the hours of 12:01 a.m. until 5 a.m.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-21| an all-inclusive order clarifying all prior orders in effect and increasing penalties for those who violate emergency orders, effective July 10, 2020.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-22| Implements a countywide curfew from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., updates guidelines for certain businesses, limits private gatherings to ten (10) people or less, plus additional clarifications from prior orders.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-23| Extends countywide curfew until August 3, further clarifies facial covering requirements, extends signage requirements to all businesses, prohibits outdoor events unless permitted by Broward County, extracurricular and non-academic school activities must comply with County EO 20-21, attachment 16, among other requirements.

Broward CountyEmergency Order 20-24 | Extends on premises dining at restaurants until 11 p.m. and prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption after 11 p.m. (through 5 a.m.)

To view all Broward County Emergency Declarations and Orders, click here.

To view all of the Executive Orders issued byGovernor Ron DeSantis , click here.

Highlights of Emergency Orders with widespread impact:

Continued here:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | City of Weston, FL

FAU | Palm Beach County Data

December 12, 2020

Case Testing

This chart shows the number of Covid-19 cases for various age groups by month.

Note: within testing, the key metric is the positivity percentage, which is the number of positive cases as a percentage of the number of tests. This is a measure of how fast the virus is spreading within the community. It is important to note that the number of cases is largely a function of the number of tests rather than a measure of how fast the virus is spreading.

Note: within hospitalizations, the key metric is the ratio of occupied beds to total beds, which indicates the percent of occupancy. Also important is the ratio of COVID-19 beds to occupied beds, which measures the mix of COVID and non-COVID patients in hospitals.

The case hospitalization rate (CHR) is a metric for evaluating how much stress a virus puts on hospitals. CHR is calculated as the number of hospitalizations with Covid-19 divided by the number of confirmed cases for a particular population in a particular geographic area. This chart breaks down the CHR by a number of age groups to highlight the fact that COVID-19 is far more dangerous for the elderly. These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health.

This chart shows how many Palm Beach County residents and nonresidents in various age groups have been hospitalized with COVID-19. These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health.

This chart shows the case hospitalization rates (CHRs) for various age groups by month, starting with March 2020. The information in this chart indicates that CHRs have declined dramatically from the March and April highs. CHRs for the current month are preliminary and will rise as additional current-month hospitalizations are reported to the Florida Dept. of Health. These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health

This chart shows how many Palm Beach County residents and nonresidents in various age groups have been hospitalized with COVID-19 during each month beginning with March 2020 These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health.

The case fatality rate (CFR) is a key metric for evaluating how lethal is a virus. CFR is calculated as the number of deaths divided by the number of confirmed cases for a particular population in a particular geographic area. This chart breaks down the CFR by a number of age groups to highlight the fact that COVID-19 is far more lethal for the elderly. These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health.

This chart shows how many Palm Beach County residents and nonresidents in various age groups have died from COVID-19. These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health.

This chart shows the case fatality rates (CFRs) for various age groups by month, starting with March 2020. The information in this chart indicates that CFRs have declined dramatically from the March and April highs. CFRs for the current month are preliminary and will rise as additional current-month deaths are reported to the Florida Dept. of Health. These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health

This chart shows how many Palm Beach County residents and nonresidents in various age groups have died from COVID-19 during each month beginning with March 2020 These statistics are calculated by the developers of this website using daily Covid-19 Caseline Data published by the Florida Dept. of Health.

View original post here:

FAU | Palm Beach County Data

Coronavirus Updates | Tamarac, FL – Official Website

December 12, 2020

Update: October 29, 4:15 pm

With COVID-19 cases rising in Florida, the City encourages residents to continue to wear facial coverings and to follow social distancing guidelines. You can monitor the latest case information from the Florida Department of Health at http://bit.ly/FLDoH19.

Tamarac is offering the following events to celebrate the upcoming holidays safely. Please maintain social distancing and wear facial coverings at in-person events.

Trick or Treat Story Walk: Saturday, October 31, 11 am 12:30 pm, Waters Edge Park, 7508 NW 61st St. Attendees can stroll through the park and enjoy a free interactive reading of Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away. Free book and candy bag giveaways while supplies last. Veterans Day Illuminating Celebration: Monday, November 11, 5:30 6:30 pm, Veterans Memorial Park, 7825 Southgate Blvd. Join us as we light candles to honor our veterans at the Veterans Honor Wall. Veterans will receive a keepsake pin from the City in honor of their service. Virtual 40th Annual Tamarac Turkey Trot: While the in-person race isnt taking place this year, you can still make your holiday a little healthier by participating in this virtual event. Event details, fees and registration are available at https://runsignup.com/tamaracturkeytrot.

The following Feeding South Florida food distribution events will be held during the stated times, while supplies last.

November 2, 9 11 am, Community Christian Church, 10001 W. Commercial Blvd. November 11, 9 11 am, Christian Life Center, 2699 W. Commercial Blvd. November 18, 9 11 am, Christian Life Center, 2699 W. Commercial Blvd. November 23, 9 11 am, Community Christian Church, 10001 W. Commercial Blvd.

In addition, the Korean United Methodist Church at 6501 W. Commercial Blvd. is hosting its food distribution events from 8 10 am on Saturdays.

Open enrollment is now underway for the following programs to help Tamarac residents financially impacted by COVID-19. Applications and information can be found at http://www.Tamarac.org/Housing.

The Emergency Repair Program: Provides homeowners assistance with repairs to roofs or other major components of homes deemed necessary by an inspector. The Connectivity and Technology for Employment Support Program: Offers eligible applicants an 8-inch tablet and two years of connectivity to help with their job and employment searches. The Residential Assistance Program: Provides residents assistance with rent, mortgage, past due HOA fees, re-housing and utility bills. (City staff is diligently processing applications from the second and third rounds of applications.)

The Broward County Commission established a grant program using CARES Act funds to help small businesses and non-profits in the County mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. Enrollment starts Monday, November 9. Information on the application process and required documents are available at http://www.Broward.org/Cares.

As Broward County residents become acclimated to life in Phase 3, the County released Emergency Order 20-27 to clarify local requirements.

The Countys Emergency Order includes the following key points:

On-premise consumption of food and alcohol must end at 11 pm. Restaurants may operate at up to 100% of indoor capacity as long as there is a minimum of six feet between tables, and no more than six people at a table. Bars and other establishments that only serve alcohol must operate at no more than 50% of the posted indoor capacity. Total combined occupancy of indoor and outdoor areas shall not exceed the existing total maximum occupancy. Individuals may remove their facial coverings when working out at a fitness center or gym. However, facial coverings must be worn when not engaged in physical activity, such as moving between machines and around the center. Permits hot tubs to open in homeowner association (HOA) communities, but operations are subject to more stringent rules that may be imposed by the HOA.

To read the Countys Emergency Order 20-27 in its entirety, visithttps://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-27.pdf.

City Parks and FacilitiesBeginning on October 5, playgrounds and outdoor fitness areas will open to the public. To ensure the safety of our residents, all equipment will be sanitized daily.

In addition, the Sports Complex and Tamarac Park will return to regular operating hours, closing at 10 pm. Athletic field rentals will be available. However, picnic shelters will remain closed to rentals.

The Caporella Aquatic Center is currently open on the weekends only, with the sprayground opening tomorrow, October 3. Starting October 12, the pool will be open seven days per week. The waterslide remains closed at this time. The City will continue to operate the fitness center at 50% capacity.

The splash pad at Waters Edge Park will open on October 10 and will operate on the weekends only.

City Recreational Programs The City will continue offering virtual programming. Information on classes is available atwww.Tamarac.org/Parks. Adult Cornhole League registration is open, and the program is projected to start on October 9. Registration for youth soccer and T-ball starts October 5. The Fast Trac kids Afterschool Program will begin once school is back to in-person classes. Swim lessons for children begin October 5. Those interested can call (954) 597-3660 to register.

Red Route Extension Bus ServiceOn October 6, the Red Route Extension will return to Tuesday operations from 9 am 2 pm.

Residential Assistance ProgramsThe City is introducing two new grant programs to assist residents.

The Emergency Repair Grant program will provide emergency repair assistance to homeowners experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Funds can be used for emergency repairs to the roof or any other component that an inspector deems necessary. Projects are reviewed and awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile, the City is launching The Connectivity and Technology for Employment Support program, designed to offer two years of connectivity technology to residents impacted by COVID-19. This program will support job and employment searches.

The application window for both programs opens on October 13. To apply or for additional information, visitwww.tamarac.org/housing.

Broward County issued Emergency Order 20-26, conforming to Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss Executive Order 20-244 that moved Florida into Phase 3 and reopened all businesses, including bars, nightclubs and other establishments previously closed by local Emergency Orders.

Local jurisdictions retain some rights to impose guidelines and restrictions. The Countys Emergency Order 20-26 clarifies information for Broward County businesses.

The Governors Executive Order 20-244 is available at https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-244.pdf.

Broward Countys Emergency Order 20-26 is available at https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-26.pdf.

Broward County issued Emergency Order 20-25 today, which relaxes some restrictions on businesses, athletic events and function spaces. Highlights of the Order include:

Function spaces (ballrooms, banquet halls, catering halls, other event spaces) and other commercial facilities may operate on a limited basis. Spectators are permitted to attend non-professional sporting events such as high school athletic events with certain restrictions. Exempts those actively engaged in organized sports from wearing a facial covering. Small groups (no larger than 10) can engage in athletic activities at beaches and parks. Allows for additional flexibility for homeowner association amenities by relaxing some restrictions related to pool furnishings, common areas, and guests. Removes the requirement that children 17 and under must be separated into independent groups of no more than 10 (e.g., child care facilities). Allows live entertainment as well as billiards and similar games to operate in restaurants and food establishments. Bar counters in restaurants may reopen to patrons for food service only. Alcohol cannot be served at the counter, and plexiglass partitions are required as explained in the Order.

The Emergency Order is effective immediately except the provision allowing banquet halls and other event spaces to reopen, which will be effective on October 2, 2020. For complete information, the full Order can be read at https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/DOE-9-25-20.pdf.

New City Parks Hours

Starting this Sunday, September 27, all City parks will be open seven days per week from 8 am 7 pm.

Food Distribution Events

The following list includes upcoming Feeding South Florida food distribution events in Tamarac. These events will be held during the stated times or while supplies last. Saturday, September 26, 8 11 am, Korean United Methodist Church, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd. Saturday, October 3, 8 11 am, Korean United Methodist Church, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd. Monday, October 5, 9 11 am, Community Christian Church, 10001 W. Commercial Blvd.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that Broward County will enter Phase 2 of reopening on Monday, September 14. However, Broward County confirmed its Emergency Orders remain in effect, with no immediate changes to how businesses can operate on Monday, including bars, which will remain closed.

The County continues to move toward a full Phase 2 reopening, and expects additional openings in the coming weeks.

The next Feeding South Florida food distribution event in Tamarac will be held Monday, September 14, from 9 11 am or while supplies last, at the Community Christian Church, 10001 W. Commercial Blvd.

There will be no food distribution at the Korean United Methodist Church this weekend.

The Caporella Aquatic Center will reopen Saturday, September 12, for weekends only, with increased cleaning protocols and new procedures to help keep visitors safe. The pool will operate in three sessions on Saturdays and two sessions on Sundays. In addition, pool use will be restricted to 30 people at a time. Details are available at https://www.tamarac.org/PoolReopeningGuidelines.

The Citys L.P.E. program offers a safe and supervised place for children in grades 3 6 to learn, play and engage during the school day. Hours are 7:30 am 4:30 pm, with virtual learning scheduled between 8 am 2 pm. After 2 pm, activities and crafts are offered. Students must wear masks and socially distance. Pricing has been adjusted to $90 per week for Tamarac residents and $130 for non-residents, with discounts available for second children. Those interested in more information can call (954) 597-3620.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. During these times of social distancing, it is important to take care of our mental health and to watch out for others. For information, resources or help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255 or visit http://www.SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

To listen to Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie's update on the district's plans for reopening, Parent University and athletics, visit https://eduvision.tv/l?LegyyD.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 20-211, extending the moratorium on mortgage foreclosures and evictions with limitations outlined in Executive Order 20-180. The new Order will be in effect through October 1. The Orders are available at https://www.Flgov.com/2020-executive-orders/.

The City of Tamarac and Broward County are both currently accepting applications for programs that help people financially impacted by COVID-19 with residential expenses. These programs have different requirements, parameters and deadlines.

The Citys Residential Assistance Program provides emergency assistance to households impacted by COVID-19. The deadline to apply during this application period is Friday, September 4. This program assists eligible Tamarac residents with mortgage, rent, re-housing/eviction prevention and/or utilities.

Please note, applications submitted during previous enrollment periods are still under consideration. Families that previously applied need not resubmit applications. More information is available at http://www.Tamarac.org/Housing or by calling the Citys Housing division at (954) 597-3549.

Broward Countys Rental Assistance Program will help qualified residents pay portions of unpaid rents for the months of April August 2020. The programs application window is from 8 am 10 pm daily through Monday, September 6. For further details, visit http://www.Broward.org/CARES.

The following Feeding South Florida food distribution events will be held during the stated times or while supplies last. September 2, 9 11 am, Christian Life Center, 2699 W. Commercial Blvd. September 9, 9 11 am, Christian Life Center, 2699 W. Commercial Blvd. September 14, 9 11 am, Community Christian Church, 10001 W. Commercial Blvd.

September is the last month to respond to the 2020 Census. Remember, participating is quick, easy and important. It affects federal funding for the next 10 years! You can respond online at http://www.2020Census.gov, by calling (844) 330-2020 or by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire. In addition, you can respond to census takers who are now following up with households. They will have a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date.

The City will accept applications for the third round of our residential assistance program, which provides emergency assistance to households impacted by COVID-19, starting at 10 am on Monday, August 31, through 5 pm on September 4. Through this program, eligible Tamarac residents are assisted with mortgage, rent, re-housing/eviction prevention and/or utilities. This third round of assistance features a new strategy for re-housing/eviction prevention. Grant assistance will be provided for up to three months and will not exceed $5,000. Checks are sent directly to landlords, mortgage lenders and/or utility providers.

Families that previously applied to the Citys residential assistance program need not do so again. More information is available at http://www.Tamarac.org/Housing or call the Citys Housing division at (954) 597-3549.

In addition, Broward County announced an online rental assistance program to help qualified residents impacted financially by COVID-19 to pay portions of unpaid rents for the months of April August 2020. The programs application window is from 8 am 10 pm daily between August 31 September 6.

Under this program, 75% of the amount due for the first two months of owed rent will be paid if the landlord agrees and completes the required documents. The program will also pay 60% of the amount due for months three, four and five. Late fees are not covered. Payments are made directly to landlords. For further details, visit http://www.Broward.org/CARES.

The City's Learn, Play, Engage Kids program launches Tuesday, September 8. Held at Tamarac Park, this new program will provide students in grades 3 6 the opportunity to complete their virtual schooling under the supervision of City staff. Parents can go to work knowing their child is in a safe place and children can interact with peers while maintaining social distancing. Drop off is between 7:30 and 7:45 am. Learning is from 8 am 2 pm, followed by activities and crafts offered from 2:15 4:30 pm. The fee is $130 per week for residents and $150 per week for non-residents. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (954) 597-3620.

Starting on Tuesday, September 1, the City is expanding its Red Route community bus service. The new schedule will be 7 am 4 pm Mondays through Fridays.

The application window for the Small Business Stabilization Grant Program is now open. Tamarac is utilizing CARES Act emergency funds to offer $5,000 grants to eligible small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19. Applications will be accepted online until August 28. Visit http://www.Tamarac.org/EconomicDevelopment for more details.

The City is resuming its Community Farmers Market at Veterans Memorial Park, which will be open from 9 am 2 pm on Sundays. Wear your facial coverings and follow social distancing requirements while you get your fresh produce, honey, sauces and other artisanal goodies.

As a reminder, other than this event, City parks are closed on Sundays. This includes the Gary B Jones Park for People and Pups that is adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park.

The following list includes upcoming Feeding South Florida food distribution events in Tamarac. These events will be held during the stated times or while supplies last.

Tamarac is now accepting applications for its Minor Home Repair program. This program assists income-restricted Tamarac households with repairs addressing minimum housing code violations, weatherization and health/safety issues in the home. Applications will be accepted through August 28. For details on eligibility and the application process, visit http://www.Tamarac.org/425.

Applications are also being accepted now through August 28 for the Citys Neighborhood Partnership Program. This program offers eligible neighborhood and homeowners associations grants to support neighborhood improvements. Details on this program are available at http://www.Tamarac.org/951.

Enrollment for the Citys Small Business Stabilization Grant Program will be held from August 24 28. Business owners are encouraged to collect required documentation in advance. For program details, visit http://www.Tamarac.org/EconomicDevelopment.

Tomorrow, August 19, the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development is offering a virtual meeting titled Surviving COVID-19: Useful Tips & Success Stories for Businesses at 10 am. Register at https://www.broward.org/EconDev/Pages/Events.aspx.

The City reminds you that participating in the 2020 Census is safe, easy and important. The U.S. Census Bureau has moved up the deadline to participate to September 30 and began following up with households that have not submitted responses. If you receive a visit at your home, census takers can be easily identified. They will have a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date.

If you havent participated yet, you dont have to wait for a census taker to knock on your door. You can still respond online at http://www.2020Census.gov, by calling (844) 330-2020 or by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire you received.

The City will reopen its parks and fitness center on Monday, August 10, including the Gary B Jones Park for People and Pups. The reopening does not include the pool at the Caporella Aquatic Complex or the Community Farmers Market, which remains canceled.

Park hours will be from 8 am 7:30 pm, Monday Saturday, until further notice. You must wear facial coverings and follow social distancing guidelines. Groups of more than 10 are still prohibited. Basketball courts, playgrounds, fitness areas, splashpads and bathroom facilities will remain closed. However, tennis courts will be open.

The Fitness Center will be open from 6 am 7 pm, Monday Friday, and 7:30 am 6 pm on Saturdays. The facility will close for cleaning from 2 3 pm daily. Please remember that all guests must follow the Broward County Executive Order that requires you to wear a facial covering at all times, including while working out.

Upcoming Feeding South Florida food distribution events in Tamarac include:

Broward County is hosting two events to give away the trees, shrubs, fruit trees and alternatives to sod that would have been distributed at its 18th Annual Water Matters Day 2020, canceled due to the pandemic. Broward families can receive up to two, 3-gallon trees and shrubs, or up to eight 1-gallon plants (select up to two species) while supplies last. There is a limit of one fruit tree per family. To view the list of available species, event details and a link to register, visit https://www.broward.org/waterresources/Pages/WaterMattersDay.aspx. These no-contact, drive-up only events will be held rain or shine and are scheduled at:

The City is utilizing CARES Act emergency funds to offer $5,000 grants to eligible small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19 throughthe Tamarac Small Business Stabilization Grant program. Applications will be accepted online from August 24 28. Business owners are encouraged to collect required documentation in advance. For program details, visit http://www.Tamarac.org/EconomicDevelopment.

The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development is offering a virtual meeting titled Surviving COVID-19: Useful Tips & Success Stories for Businesses at 10 am onWednesday, August 19. Register at https://www.broward.org/EconDev/Pages/Events.aspx.

To help local businesses during the pandemic, Tamarac is launching a Small Business Stabilization Grant program. The City is committing $100,000 in one-time Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act funds to provide grants of $5,000 to qualifying small businesses. Open enrollment is August 24 28. Information on eligibility, investment criteria, required documentation and the application process is available at http://www.Tamarac.org/EconomicDevelopment.

State-run COVID-19 testing sites that temporarily closed due to Isaias will be open tomorrow, August 4. A list of Broward County sites, including those run by the state and others, is available at http://www.Broward.org/Coronavirus. Please remember, the former testing site at the Tamarac Recreation Center has permanently closed.

Upcoming Feeding South Florida food distribution events include: Wednesday, August 5, 9 11 am, Christian Life Center, 2699 W. Commercial Blvd. Saturday, August 8, 8 11 am, Korean United Methodist Church, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd.

The South Florida District Office of the Small Business Administration is offering Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) webinars daily from 1 2 pm on August 4 7. Each session is limited to 250 attendees and Eventbrite access is required to register. Details about these and other events are available on the calendar at http://www.SBA.gov/Offices/District/Fl/Miami. Click "show more events" to see everything that's scheduled.

With Broward County now under a tropical storm warning, the City of Tamarac is closely monitoring the track and forecast of Isaias, which is now a Category 1 hurricane. In response to the storms approach, Floridas Governor issued a State of Emergency for all of Floridas east coast counties.

If Hurricane Isaias continues on its current track, we can receive heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds this weekend but are less likely to experience hurricane-force winds.

However, the hurricanes track is uncertain and small changes to the forecast can mean big differences in impacts, so we must remain vigilant. For the latest information, we encourage you to monitor local news and http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.

In preparation for the storm, the City is monitoring canal levels and has cleaned catch basins, tested all stormwater pump station emergency generators and checked all stormwater discharge gates. City facilities are already closed to the public as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You are encouraged to finalize your storm preparations at your home and business today before conditions deteriorate. Gather emergency supplies, fill your car with gas and have cash on hand. Secure loose outdoor items and do not put any garbage or bulk waste out for collection until the storm has passed. Now is not the time to trim your trees.

Please note, as we are not a coastal city in danger of storm surge, the City of Tamarac does not give out sandbags in advance of hurricanes or tropical storms.

The food distribution event at the Korean United Methodist Church scheduled for tomorrow, August 1, is canceled due to the storm.

The Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste collection event in North Lauderdale scheduled for August 1 has been canceled.

As a reminder, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) closed all state-supported drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites yesterday until further notice.

Community members are encouraged to sign up for the Citys FREE CodeRED emergency communications by visiting http://www.Tamarac.org and clicking the Emergency Services button or texting TamaracCodeRED to 99411. You can receive phone calls, emails and/or text notifications.

Updates will also be available on the Citys website and on our citizen hotline: (954) 718-1800. Sign up for City at Large emails at https://www.Tamarac.org/list.aspx and follow the City of Tamarac on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor.

The City of Tamarac is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias. We urge residents to do the same and to prepare for the potential of heavy rain and strong wind this weekend.

The COVID-19 testing site at the Tamarac Recreation Center will permanently close at the end of operations today. Out of concern about potential impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) will temporarily close all state-supported drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites at 5 pm today until further notice. The FDEM is taking this precaution based on current information about the storm. Its anticipated it will be safe to reopen the sites by 8 am on Wednesday, August 5, at the latest.

When state-supported COVID-19 testing resumes, some of the DOH testing sites convenient to Tamarac include:

Mullins Park walk-up testing site at 10000 Ben Geiger Dr., Coral Springs Mitchell Moore Park walk-up testing site at 901 NW 10th St., Pompano Beach Markham Park pop-up testing site at 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise

Please call the Florida Department of Health in Broward County at (954) 412-7300 for the latest information on hours of operation at these sites. You can also visit http://www.Broward.org/Coronavirus for a list of all the collection sites in the County.

Floridas Governor extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until September 1. He also extended the Executive Order allowing local governments to host virtual public meetings during the pandemic. These Orders are available at http://www.FlGov.com/2020-Executive-Orders.

Upcoming Feeding South Florida food distribution events in Tamarac include:

Saturday, August 1, 8 11 am, or while supplies last, Korean United Methodist Church, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd. Wednesday, August 5, 9 11 am, or while supplies last, Christian Life Center, 2699 W. Commercial Blvd.

To further safeguard the community and slow the spread of COVID-19, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-23 today. The full Order is effective immediately and is available at https://Broward.org/Coronavirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-23.pdf. Some key points include:

Curfew. Broward Countys curfew is extended until 5 am on Monday, August 3. Facial Coverings. While facial covering requirements remain in full effect, residents are not required to wear them in their homes, nor are they liable for facial covering violations of their guests. Signage. All establishments must now follow the signage requirements that restaurants and retail establishments have been operating under. Details are provided in Order 20-23 and files to print these signs are available at http://www.Broward.org/Coronavirus. Vacation Rental Registration. Vacation rentals that meet requirements to operate must provide the County with the email and telephone number of their on-site management or security personnel via email to Reopening@Broward.org. Outdoor Event Requirements. Outdoor, open air events are not allowed unless a reopening or operating plan is submitted to Reopening@Broward.org and approved by the County Administrator. Schools. Even though schools are excluded from the definition of establishments in Browards Emergency Orders, they are strongly encouraged to follow CDC guidelines. Extracurricular and non-academic activities must comply with Attachment 16 of Browards Emergency Order 20-21 (Youth Activities and Summer Camps) available at http://www.Broward.org/Coronvirus.

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Coronavirus Updates | Tamarac, FL - Official Website

Symptoms of Coronavirus: Early Signs, Serious Symptoms and …

December 12, 2020

SOURCES:

UpToDate: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Epidemiology, virology, clinical features, diagnosis and prevention.

Medscape: Kidney Complications in COVID-19 Send Hospitals Scrambling.

Global Radiology CME: COVID-19 Presenting with Syncope.

Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal: Frequent Convulsive Seizures in an Adult Patient With COVID-19: A Case Report.

Consul General of the Official Colleges of Podiatrists, Spain: COVID-19 Compatible Case Register.

World Health Organization: Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19), Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

CDC: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and you, Symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019, Symptoms,Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

University of Alabama at Birmingham: Sorting out symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, colds and allergies.

UpToDate: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Merck Manual Consumer Version: Fever in Adults, Shortness of Breath.

Loma Linda University Health: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

American Society of Clinical Oncology: Shortness of Breath or Dyspnea.

American Academy of Family Physicians: Shortness of Breath.

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Coronavirus Eye Safety.

The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Liver injury in COVID-19: management and challenges.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Cold, Flu, or Allergy?

The New England Journal of Medicine: Large-Vessel Stroke as Presenting Feature of Covid-19 in the Young.

American Stroke Association: Stroke Symptoms."

Boston Childrens Hospital: COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory syndrome in children: Unpacking recent warnings.

Nemours/KidsHealth: Kawasaki Disease, Fevers.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children United States, February 12-April 2, 2020.

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Symptoms of Coronavirus: Early Signs, Serious Symptoms and ...

Fox Nation’s Nancy Grace tests positive for COVID-19 along with husband, kids, 88-year-old mother – USA TODAY

December 12, 2020

Cable personality Nancy Grace will leave the network in October to focus on a new project.

Fox Nation host Nancy Gracehas tested positive for COVID-19along with her husband, David Linch, their 13-year-old twins, John David and Lucy Elizabeth, and her mother, Elizabeth.

The Daily Mailwas the first to report that Grace's 88-year-old mother received a positive diagnosis on Monday. Sheis currently being treated in the COVID-19 ward of a hospital in Georgia, the outlet reports.

On Wednesday, the rest of the family tested positive for COVID-19,according to the Daily Mail.

Grace's repJosh Sabarraconfirmed the reports to USA TODAY.

Grace told the outlet she has experienced an "ongoing cough and flu-like symptoms" while her husband "has severe headaches." The two have also lost their sense of smell.

Nancy Grace, her husband David Linch, and their twins, Lucy Elizabeth and John David, all tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday following Grace's mother's positive result.

COVID-19: Ellen DeGeneres tests positive for COVID-19, says she's 'feeling fine right now'

Their children have milder symptoms of headaches and sore throats.

"David, the twins and I, will continue to isolate at home while we recover and we look forward to Mom coming home as soon as we are all better," she told the Daily Mail.

She continued, cautioning others to take the pandemic seriously. "Covid is no joke, we thought we had done everything right. Please keep wearing masks, social distancing and stay safe no family should go through this."

TV: Nancy Grace to exit Headline News after 12 years

After getting her start on Court TV (rebrandedas TruTV in 2008) in the mid-1990s, the prosecutor-turned-TV host joined CNN sibling network HLN in 2005, where she built a reputation as a crusader for victims and became HLN's most-recognized face.

Her show, "Nancy Grace," followed such high-profile trials as those ofScott Peterson,Amanda Knoxand the three Duke lacrosse players accused and later cleared of rape.

In November 2019, she joined Fox News' streaming service, Fox Nation,to host "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace," which wasmodeled after her popular television series that ran on the HLN network for many years.

Nancy Grace: joining Fox News' streaming service to host 'Crime Stories with Nancy Grace'

Contributing: Jayme Deerwester

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Fox Nation's Nancy Grace tests positive for COVID-19 along with husband, kids, 88-year-old mother - USA TODAY

A 17-year-old lost both her parents to COVID-19 hours apart – CNN

December 12, 2020

Tony and Lisa both grew up in Superior, Arizona, according to the funeral pamphlet obtained by CNN. They met in high school, where both were very active -- participating in marching band and running track. Afterward, Tony enlisted in the Navy, serving six years total, and Lisa attended Mesa Community College. In 1999, they tied the knot, and eventually gave birth to daughter Brisa, now 17.

The two were actively involved in Brisa's life -- most notably through her swim team at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona. Tony served as president of the team's booster club, and Lisa helped out behind-the-scenes, said Rachel Tribby, vice president of the booster club.

"(Tony) worked harder than everybody," Tribby told CNN. "(If) the event started at 5 p.m., he would be there at 5 a.m."

She gave an example of how he'd always go the extra mile.

Last year, the swim team hosted a huge invitational, with lots of officials and coaches. As the host team, Chandler High had to take care of them. And though they were trying to keep costs down, Tony still went all out.

He brought a smoker, and he and the team's coach spent all night smoking a pork butt for the team and their guests. If that wasn't enough, he also brought mac and cheese and seven types of horchata, Tribby said.

"I wish we had a video," she said, recalling how the coach's spare office was filled with shredded pork. "He had workers in the gym, his family working at home and any kitchens he could find. It was fantastic. And crazy."

It's that level of care and service that made the two so beloved.

"It's just great to see how Tony and Lisa had touched so many people, and now that same community is mutually wrapping their arms around Brisa," Tribby said.

Tony, 56, and Lisa, 53, were both diagnosed with Covid-19 in November. They died on the evening of December 2 and the morning of December 3, respectively.

Their funeral service was held on Friday, Tribby said.

The deaths of Tony and Lisa follow what was already a heartbreaking year for the team, whlich lost their head coach to Covid-19 earlier this year.

Brisa, a senior on the team, has plans to follow her father's footsteps and enlist in the military, Tribby said.

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A 17-year-old lost both her parents to COVID-19 hours apart - CNN

Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 3 deaths and 621 new infections reported Friday – Anchorage Daily News

December 12, 2020

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The deaths involved an Anchorage man in his 70s, a Fairbanks man in his 80s and a Wasilla man in his 70s, the state health department said. Additionally, the state adjusted its data to reflect that a northern Kenai Peninsula Borough resident whose death was previously reported was actually from Wasilla, the department said.

In total, 157 Alaskans and one nonresident with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic began here in March, according to the Department of Health and Social Services. Alaskas overall death rate per capita is one of the lowest in the country, but state officials say its difficult to compare Alaska to other states because of its vast geography and vulnerable health care system.

After weeks of surging daily case counts, Alaska as of Friday ranked fifth in the country for average daily cases per capita over the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rising case numbers have translated into increasing hospitalizations and deaths.

State health officials continue to ask Alaskans to avoid indoor gatherings with non-household members, and have said that most Alaskans who contract the virus get it from a friend, family member or co-worker.

By Friday, 128 people with COVID-19 were hospitalized in Alaska and another 10 people in hospitals were suspected to be infected with the virus, according to preliminary data. Seventeen people with COVID-19 were on ventilators. There were 37 ICU beds available statewide out of 130 staffed beds, and about 15.6% of the adult patients hospitalized around the state had tested positive for COVID-19.

Between the end of November and the first few days of December, COVID-19 cases continued to increase statewide, but the growth rate did slow over the past three weeks, state health officials wrote in a weekly report. They cautioned that new cases have overwhelmed the health departments ability to report them and that recent case counts underestimate the true number of new COVID-19 infections statewide.

Community transmission statewide is still high, both in urban and rural communities, with almost every region in the state seeing a recent increase. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough saw cases more than double between Nov. 20 and Dec. 5 while the Kenai Peninsula Borough had extremely high rates of transmission in that timeframe as well, health officials wrote.

In Anchorage, case counts started to plateau this week but remained much higher than health officials would like, Janet Johnston, epidemiologist with the Anchorage Health Department, told reporters during a Friday briefing. Using a modeling tool, Johnston demonstrated that a 10-person gathering in Anchorage has a 37% chance of one person being infected with COVID-19.

One of the reasons were so worried about case counts is that each case is a person who may experience both short- and long-term effects of COVID, and a person who may need care from the Anchorage health care system, Johnston said.

COVID-19 hospitalizations at the citys three hospitals have remained high in recent weeks, Johnston said, and as of Thursday there were only five intensive care unit beds available in Anchorage. Even if cases level off, Johnston said she expects to continue seeing more deaths from the virus, given that they can occur weeks after someone initially tests positive.

Of the 613 new cases reported by the state Friday among Alaska residents, there were 232 in Anchorage, 32 in Eagle River, four in Chugiak and one in Girdwood; 69 in Fairbanks and 16 in North Pole; 66 in Wasilla, six in Palmer, three in Willow and one in Sutton-Alpine; 27 in Kodiak; 20 in Bethel; 18 in Soldotna, 12 in Kenai, four in Nikiski, three in Seward, three in Sterling and two in Homer; seven in Juneau and one in Douglas; seven in Utqiagvik; five in Delta Junction and one in Tok; five in Unalaska; two in Chevak; one in Haines; and one in Ketchikan.

Among communities smaller than 1,000 people not named to protect privacy, there were 35 resident cases in the Kusilvak Census Area; six in the northern Kenai Peninsula Borough; six in the Bethel Census Area; five in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area; three in the Kodiak Island Borough; three in the North Slope Borough; two in the Fairbanks North Star Borough; two in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area; and two in the Mat-Su Borough.

The state reported eight cases among nonresidents: two in Fairbanks, one in Anchorage, one in Unalaska and four classified as unknown.

The statewide test positivity rate was 6.5%, based on a seven-day rolling average. Rates over 5% can indicate inadequate broad testing, as well as increased community transmission.

While people might get tested more than once, each case reported by the state health department represents only one person.

It is not clear how many of the people who tested positive in Fridays results were showing symptoms. The CDC estimates about a third of people with coronavirus infections are asymptomatic.

[Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that one of the Wasilla deaths in state numbers Friday was part of a data adjustment related to a previously recorded death.]

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Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: 3 deaths and 621 new infections reported Friday - Anchorage Daily News

Maine Med, SMHC, MaineGeneral hit record number of COVID-19 inpatients – Press Herald

December 12, 2020

Maines largest hospital hit a new high of confirmed COVID-19 inpatients Thursday, capping the busiest week that it and several other major medical centers in the state have had since the pandemic began in Maine nine months ago.

The number of COVID-19 patients admitted at Maine Medical Center in Portland reached 40 Thursday and averaged 36.7 per day for the week ending that day, up from 25.3 the week before. The previous single-day peak was 35, on both April 7 and May 25.

Southern Maine Health Care Medical Center in Biddeford also experienced its heaviest week since the pandemic began, treating an average of 22.7 confirmed COVID-19 inpatients each day for the week ending Thursday, up from 20 the week before and close to zero for much of July and August.

Senior clinicians at the two hospitals parent entity, MaineHealth, have been expressing concern for the past couple of weeks about diminishing capacity, particularly staffing, as the fall surge worsens here and across the United States.

MaineHealth spokesman John Porter said Friday evening that Maine Med currently has 16 COVID-19 patients in its ICU, though he did not know how many ICU beds were occupied and available at the hospital overall. According to newly released figures from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, for the week ending Dec. 7 Maine Med had a nightly average of 92.4 of its 115 ICU beds occupied, 16.1 of them by COVID-19 patients.

Statewide COVID-19 hospitalizations also hit a record of 173 on Wednesday though only 42 of these patients were in intensive care units and stood at 172 Thursday before setting a new record of 182 on Friday. During the spring surge, Maines worst day saw only 60 COVID-19 inpatients. The numbers likely only begin to account for any potential increases driven by Thanksgiving gatherings two weeks ago, as there is most often a delay of two to three weeks between exposure and hospitalization for those acutely affected by the disease.

Two other major hospitals also experienced their heaviest COVID-19 week yet. Augustas MaineGeneral broke its record for the fifth week running with an average of 17.3 patients treated each day for the week ending Thursday, up slightly from 17.1 the previous week. Of 16 intensive care beds, 13 were occupied Thursday, three of them by COVID-19 patients, the hospital reported.

Dr. Steve Diaz, chief medical officer at MaineGeneral, said the hospital does not yet need to activate the surge plan it developed in March and is able to continue providing all services, though it evaluates the situation constantly. We need everyone to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously, Diaz said via email, urging the public to wash hands, socially distance, wear face coverings and stay at home if sick.

Our staff are resilient, and we are proud of the level of care and service they give every day to our patients, but they are under stress, Diaz added. We really need all in our community to do their best to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland had 14 COVID-19 inpatients on Friday and the daily average for the week ending Thursday was a record-setting 11.1, up sharply from 5.2 the week before. Six of its seven ICU beds were occupied Friday afternoon, five of them by COVID-19 patients, but the hospitals top clinician said it remained in a good position, capacity-wise.

Both Maine Medical and Mercy have been busy these last few weeks, and the surge in COVID patients has added to that, Dr. John Southall, Mercys senior physician executive, said in an interview. But remember that even with 40 at MMC and another 14 here at Mercy, thats still 54 patients out of a total capacity in Portland of over 700 beds.

Cases trended down at Bangors Eastern Maine Medical Center, which had been hard hit in the first part of the fall surge. EMMC had an average of 18.3 COVID-19 inpatients treated each day for the period ending Thursday, down from 24.3 the week before.

Both of Lewistons hospitals plateaued this week after experiencing their heaviest COVID-19 burdens the week before. Central Maine Medical Center had an average of 11.9 COVID-19 inpatients for the week, down slightly from 12.1 the week before and 9.3 the week before that. At St. Marys there were 5.9 per day, down from 6.7 last week and 4.4 the week before that.

The pandemic continues to surge across the country, with nearly all the metrics striking their worst levels since the crisis began in the United States nearly nine months ago. On Thursday alone, states reported more than 223,000 positive tests and 2,923 deaths, nearly as many as in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Hospitalizations hit a record nationally as well, with 107,258 Thursday, according to the New York Times tracker. Despite the deteriorating situation in Maine, the state still has the third lowest prevalence of the disease in the country after Hawaii and Vermont.

Hospitals in Maine say they hope to meet demand by converting swing beds from ordinary medical-surgical duty to intensive care, though they are likely to come up against staffing shortages well before they run out of beds. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been dusting off contingency plans for field hospitals to be created at arenas in Portland and Bangor as hospitals continue to see unprecedented numbers of COVID-19 patients.

Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick had an average of 4.3 COVID-19 inpatients each day, unchanged from the week before and matching its busiest week in the spring, while York Hospital continued to see a gradual decrease in pressure, with an average of 2.1 COVID-19 inpatients for the week, down from 2.7 last week and 5.3 the week before, which was the heaviest it had experienced.

York Hospital also reported Friday that a staff outbreak detected last week there had resulted in 17 staff and six patients testing positive for COVID-19. It temporarily closed its Berwick and Kittery offices to ensure it had enough staff. Other services at the 48-bed hospital continue to operate.

An unprecedented number of other smaller hospitals had COVID-19 inpatients this week. In the week ending Thursday, these included Franklin Memorial in Farmington; Sebasticook Valley in Pittsfield; PenBay Medical Center in Rockport; Blue Hill, Rumford and Bridgton hospitals; Stephens Memorial in Norway; Waldo County General in Belfast; Inland Hospital in Waterville; A.R. Gould in Presque Isle; Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth; and Mayo Regional in Dover-Foxcroft.

We want to urge the public to continue to mask, continue to socially distance, continue to not have large group settings, Mercys Southall said.

Hospitalizations are a lagging indicator in that they typically occur one to three weeks after a person is exposed to the disease, but unlike other metrics it is not dependent on who and how many people were tested. They can end in three ways: recovery, death, or transfer to another facility.

The Press Herald compiles data directly from the hospitals and hospital networks. The data does not include outpatients or inpatients suspected of having the virus but who were never tested. It includes most of the states hospitals and accounts for the nearly all of the statewide hospitalizations reported each week by the Maine CDC.

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Maine Med, SMHC, MaineGeneral hit record number of COVID-19 inpatients - Press Herald

COVID-19s third wave is hammering the Midwest – Brookings Institution

December 12, 2020

America is now firmly in the grips of what many are calling the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day, new COVID-19 cases nationwide routinely approach or exceed 200,000, and associated deaths hover around 2,000.

In reality, however, each wave of the pandemic within the United States has been a regional one. The first wave, in March and April, was centered largely in Greater New York and New England, among the locations where the virus first hit U.S. shores. The second wave, which peaked in July, most affected metro areas in the South and West, after many relaxed their social distancing measures just as the virus began to take root in their communities.

My colleague William H. Frey documents that nearly all metro areas (and rural areas, too) are now experiencing increasing COVID-19 cases. That noted, the third wave thus far has hammered the Midwest most of all. And the regions metro areas are suffering an associated economic toll, as indicated in the latest data from our Metro Recovery Index, which tracks the real-time economic conditions in 192 metro areas across the United States.

Until the fall, the pandemics impact in the Midwest had been lower than in other regions. But between September and November, the combined average daily new case rate (per 100,000 population) across Midwestern metro areas rose fivefold, from 14.2 to 71.7.

The Midwest is home to the six metro areas that saw the largest COVID-19 case increases over that period, and 13 of the top 20. Midsized metro areas such as Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Peoria, Ill., as well as very large metro areas such as Grand Rapids, Mich., Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, registered especially large spikes. Despite accounting for only 18% of the combined population across the 192 metro areas, Midwestern metro areas accounted for 33% of their new COVID-19 cases in November.

Case rates spiked in the three other regions as well, though not nearly to the degree they did in the Midwest. By November, average case rates in Northeast, South, and West metro areas were less than half those of Midwestern metro areas. Nonetheless, rates in each of those regions were higher than at any other point so far during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As COVID-19 cases spiked in the Midwest in November, consumers and businesses in the region pulled back. While we dont yet have official metropolitan data on jobs and unemployment for November, other indicators point to a significant slowdown.

For instance, many of the metro areas in which Novembers average case rates rose the most saw the steepest drops in workplace visits, according to data from Googles Community Mobility Reports. Visits were down in nearly every metro area, but fell by the largest margins in metro areas in Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota. Midwestern metro areas accounted for many of those registering significant declines in workplace-related travel.

Small businesses in Midwestern metro areas also faced negative impacts from rising caseloads. None of the nations 50 largest metro areas (for which data are available) saw an increase in the percentage of its small businesses that were open in November. Closure rates were highest, however, in Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and several other Midwestern metro areas. By November, one-third of Detroits small businesses were shuttered compared to January, a decline matched by only the Boston and San Francisco metro areas.

With COVID-19 cases reaching unprecedented levels in Novemberand many more cold months to come in the Midwesta robust economic recovery is not in the near-term forecast. Vaccines will take months to sustainably lower virus levels, and even after that, Americans will be understandably cautious in their travel and spending.

The pandemics toll on metropolitan health and economic activityin blue states (Michigan, Minnesota) and red states (Indiana, Iowa), as well as in large cities (Chicago, Milwaukee) and midsized regions (Cedar Rapids, Sioux Falls, S.D.)provides a stark reminder that places of all sizes and political persuasions need immediate, significant federal assistance to avoid disastrous economic damage, and to safely navigate COVID-19s latest deadly wave.

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COVID-19s third wave is hammering the Midwest - Brookings Institution

Top Causes Of Global Deaths And How COVID-19 Would Rank : Goats and Soda – NPR

December 12, 2020

Coronary heart disease and stroke are the two leading causes of death for Homo sapiens on planet Earth, according to a new report from the World Health Organization. This fact has remained unchanged for the past two decades. But this analysis of global deaths over the past 20 years finds significant shifts in how people die as well as dramatic differences in what leads to death in different regions.

Noncommunicable diseases such as dementia and diabetes are now claiming more lives, while infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis are taking far fewer.

In this year's report, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia ranked as the seventh-leading cause of death globally. Two decades ago, they ranked as the 20th cause.

Conversely, HIV in the year 2000 was the eighth-leading cause of death and now it's down to No. 19. In fact, the raw number of people dying from HIV and AIDS has been cut in half over the past two decades.

In 2019, a million fewer babies around the world died in their first month of life compared with the year 2000. But rates of lung cancer and pulmonary disease increased over the same time period.

Changes in the causes of death were even more striking at a regional level.

Samira Asma, the assistant director-general for the Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact Division at the WHO, says the number of deaths from car crashes in Africa jumped 50% over the past 20 years.

"There has been a significant rise in road traffic injuries in the African region since 2000," she says. Last year, 297,000 people were killed in traffic accidents in WHO's Africa region, according to the report. This is 100,000 more than in the year 2000.

In the Americas, including the U.S., people are dying more frequently from suicide and drug overdoses.

"There was a nearly threefold increase in deaths from drug use disorders in the Americas between 2000 and 2019," Asma adds. The Americas was the only region in the world last year where drug use was ranked among the top 20 causes of death with an estimated 86,000 people succumbing to overdoses.

In South East Asia and Africa, hundreds of thousands of children continue to die each year from diarrhea, malaria and complications at birth. Those issues don't make the European region's list of top killers, but for Europeans seven of the leading 20 causes of death are cancers.

This report from WHO includes data through the end of 2019 only, before COVID-19 was even named. So far this year, COVID-19 has killed more than 1.5 million people. Forecasters predict that by the end of this year the pandemic's death toll could rise to 1.9 million. If that happens, COVID-19 would rank as the sixth-deadliest disease in the world.

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Top Causes Of Global Deaths And How COVID-19 Would Rank : Goats and Soda - NPR

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