As COVID-19 toll rises, South Florida prepares for more patients, tests and hardships

The breadth of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida grew Tuesday as health officials reported 42 additional deaths while the number of confirmed cases surged past 14,700.

There are now 14,747 confirmed cases statewide, and 296 people have died from the disease. Twenty-six of the additional deaths since Monday night were in South Florida, a region that accounts for more than half of Florida’s death toll.

As health officials and elected leaders urge people to stay at home as much as possible to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, local agencies continue to grapple with more infected patients, revenue shortfalls and a shortage of supplies.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $22 million contract to convert the 1.4 million-square-foot Miami Beach Convention Center into a field hospital, a measure taken in case local hospitals are overwhelmed. It has not yet been announced whether the hospital would house coronavirus patients or serve as an overflow facility for hospitals.

“This is obviously a precaution that assumes the worst case scenario, but it’s better to be prepared for the worst case than to hope for the best case,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “It will sit vacant hopefully until it is dismantled.”

Authorities expect the field hospital to be complete by April 27, but preliminary work to install 450 beds may begin as early as Wednesday. The total number of beds at the facility has not been determined.

The economic crisis sparked by the pandemic has upended budgets from households to the halls of government. Monroe County government officials announced on Tuesday that up to 100 employees in the Florida Key will be furloughed.

In a press conference, County Administrator Roman Gastesi said between 30 and 100 people will either be partially furloughed or completely laid off for at least 16 weeks — a sizable part of the county’s 565-person workforce. The move is expected to save between $500,000 and $1.7 million. The measure, which is intended to be temporary, still requires approval from the Monroe Board of County Commissioners, which is scheduled to meet next week.

“We’re not talking about eliminating positions yet,” he said.

With the Keys shut down to all tourists, hotels shuttered and restaurant dining rooms closed, the Keys economy has already suffered major losses. Gastesi said the county’s $173 million operating budget will take a massive hit.

In Miami-Dade, a federal judge ordered the county jail system to provide soap and cleaning supplies to the incarcerated, ensure social distancing and explain what is being done to protect inmates from the coronavirus.

The judge issued his order Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a group of “medically vulnerable” inmates at the MetroWest Detention Center, a county jail described by inmates as a “petri dish for the coronavirus,” that houses more than 1,800 people. Under the order, jailers must provide enough space between people, and each inmate should get soap, paper towels, cleaning supplies and toilet paper.

New drive-up testing sites will open in Miami-Dade, Broward

Miami-Dade is expected to open a new drive-through COVID-19 testing site Wednesday at Tamiami Park. The testing will be available by appointment only for adults with symptoms. Symptoms include fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath.

County operators began taking calls Tuesday for Wednesday appointments. Those who want to make an appointment at Tamiami or the other two county testing sites at Marlins Park in Miami and the South Dade Government Center can call 305-499-8767

Dr. Eneida Roldan, an associate dean at Florida International University, will serve as clinical director of the site.

A new drive-through testing site will open Wednesday at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium. The site, 3700 NW 11th Place in Lauderhill, will require patients to make appointments ahead of time. People will need a note from a physician to schedule an appointment. Call the Broward Health Line, 954-320-5730.

If patients do not have a primary care physician and need assistance, they can access Broward Health’s new BHealthy Now app, which enables a patient to obtain a virtual health screening from a board-certified physician without leaving home. Physicians on call will screen patients, assign risk, answer questions and recommend next steps, such as prescribing a COVID-19 screening. To use the app, visit BrowardHealth.org/COVIDApp for instructions.

Officers in Broward and Miami-Dade testing positive for coronavirus

More law enforcement officials have tested positive for COVID-19.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony announced on Tuesday that 36 sheriff’s office employees had tested positive. Tony said 300 employees are in self-isolation. Some are awaiting test results; others might have been in close contact with someone who was infected. The total does not include Deputy Shannon Bennett, 39, who died Friday from COVID-19 complications.

In the Miami Police Department, six officers have tested positive, according to Chief Jorge Colina. In a video posted on social media Tuesday, Colina said 125 officers are quarantined, pending results.

More local governments order people to wear masks inside businesses

Cutler Bay Town Manager Rafael Casals signed an emergency order Tuesday ordering all employees and customers of grocery stores, restaurants and pharmacies within the town to wear covering over their nose and mouth at all times while inside those facilities. The order also requires all delivery workers to wear covering of their noses and mouths.

Miramar City Manager Vernon Hargray signed a similar order regarding masks and face coverings, but also encouraged businesses to provide protective equipment for employees and to provide hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes at strategic points.

Also on Tuesday, Monroe County ordered all customers and staff inside all businesses to wear face masks. All businesses will be required to limit the number of people inside to 50% capacity.

New measures are also being enacted at Key West International Airport and Marathon Florida Keys Airport — both of which are seeing far fewer flights arrive each day. Effective midnight Wednesday, all people flying into the Keys must be screened for COVID-19 by Department of Health workers or members of Monroe County Fire Rescue. People who arrive must also self-quarantine at their own expense for 14 days or the duration of their stay in the Keys, whichever is shorter. Violations come with 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Herald staff writers David Ovalle, Douglas Hanks and Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.