Pasco County Coronavirus Update: What You Need To Know

D'Ann Lawrence White
Updated ·9 min read

PASCO COUNTY, FL —A third Pasco County resident has died after testing positive for coronavirus.

The Department of Health Pasco County reported that an 82-year-old woman died April 12.

Previously, a 67-year-old Pasco County resident died April 10 and a 71-year-old woman died March 24.

Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees sent out a statewide alert telling all residents age 65 and older to remain in their homes because the senior population is more likely to have serious symptoms as a result of the coronavirus.

As of Saturday, April 18, 196 people tested positive for the coronavirus in Pasco County with 42 residents hospitalized.

They range in age from 1 to 94 with a median age of 48. Half of those infected have been male and half female.

People were positive cases of coronavirus are from these towns:

  • 39 from Lake O' Lakes

  • 39 from Wesley Chapel

  • 27 from New Port Richey

  • 20 from Dade City

  • 14 from Zephyrhills

  • 12 from Hudson

  • 11 from Holiday

  • 8 from Port Richey

  • 4 from Spring Hill

  • 4 from Trinity

  • 3 from San Antonio

  • 3 from Lutz

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To check which cities those who test positive for the coronavirus live in, click here.

For information on symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you think you've contracted the virus, visit the Department of Health Pasco County website.

Unemployment Applications Available At Libraries

In an effort to assist residents during these challenging times, Pasco County Libraries will offer printed Florida unemployment benefit application forms for pick-up outside the entrance of five branch locations throughout the county beginning Friday, April 17.

The libraries are otherwise closed to the public. Forms are available outside the following locations:

  • Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson

  • Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey

  • South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Road, Holiday

  • Land O' Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes

  • Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City

Once completed, you can mail the application to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity at the address listed on the form.

If you're unable to visit a library in person and would like to request a blank application form by mail, contact virtualservices@pascolibraries.org or through the "Ask A Librarian" feature at www.pascolibraries.org.

County Commission To Host Virtual Meeting

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, at 10 a.m. in the West Pasco Government Center Board Room will be held online and broadcast live.

The meeting will be conducted virtually to reduce the risk to residents, elected officials and Pasco County employees by following federal and state social distancing and gathering guidelines.

Additionally, the virtual meeting will only include consent and regular agenda items, not public hearings.

To participate in the public comment section of the agenda:

  • Via email: You can submit public comment, documents, PowerPoint files or video via email to pcadmin@mypasco.net by 5 p.m. on April 20.

To watch the live broadcast of the meeting:

Urgent Dental Health

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County wants residents who are experiencing dental pain or infection to consider checking out DentalCupid.com if their dentist's office is closed due to the coronavirus.

This will help reduce the number of emergency department patients by providing immediate referrals to local dental offices for urgent dental care. Residents who need emergency dental care can avoid hospital emergency rooms by seeking care from dentists close to where they live.

DentalCupid.com is a national directory of dentists sorted by geocode that is available to patients who might otherwise lack access to prompt urgent dental treatment. Patients may contact any dental office directly to learn how they can help and to schedule an appointment.

Using this dental service for urgent dental needs will help conserve hospital emergency department resources, including personnel time, facility space and personal protective equipment.

It could also help reduce the time it takes to get appropriate care for those in need of immediate dental treatment, as well as reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure.

For medical staff, first responders or emergency departments, this site can be referred as part of a phone or in-person screening to route dental patients appropriately.

Pasco Relaxes Enforcement For Commercial Vehicles, RVs

In an effort to provide additional social distancing and work-from-homes options during Florida’s stay-at-home order, which is in effect through April 30, Pasco County Code Enforcement will not be enforcing or issuing citations for commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats parked in residential areas.

Health care personnel, first responders and essential employees working to serve the communities during the coronavirus pandemic are facing challenging circumstances in practicing social distancing and avoiding the potential spread of coronavirus in their own homes.

Whether it’s used as a space for family members to wash and disinfect, work remotely or even rest – commercial vehicles and RVs can provide much-needed options during this time.

Pasco County is sensitive to the hardships coronavirus is presenting for families and employees and is requesting that all local homeowner associations consider relaxing residential parking rules in their communities, as well.

Virtual Plant Clinics

Expert advice for lawn or garden issues is now just a click away thanks to new Virtual Plant Clinics with UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service.

Meet online with a Pasco Master Gardener volunteer Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by clicking here.

Master Gardeners can help with pest identification, weed control, spring growing tips and more.

Residents can also call UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension agents for phone consultations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 352-518-0156.

Facilities Closed During Safer-At-Home Order

Residents are reminded that the following Pasco County buildings and properties are closed until further notice:

  • Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City

  • Guardian Ad Litem Office West

  • Guardian Ad Litem Office East

  • Elderly Nutrition East, 13853 15th St., Dade City

  • Elderly Nutrition Central, 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes

  • Elderly Nutrition West, 8600 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey

  • All Pasco County Libraries (closed until April 30)

All parks and nature preserves are closed. However, all boat ramps and the Suncoast Trail will remain open with residents asked to follow social distancing guidelines.

Additionally, all parks-sponsored large events and mass gatherings are cancelled until further notice and the following parks facilities are closed:

  • J Ben Harrill Recreation Complex

  • Veterans Memorial Park Recreation Complex

  • Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex

  • Heritage Park Community Center

  • Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center

  • James Irvin Community Center

  • Odessa Community Center

  • Elsie Logan Community Center

  • Grove Park Community Center

Animal Services

Animal Services is not accepting owner-surrendered animals; intakes will be scheduled for a later date.

Public Transportation (PCPT)

PCPT is suspending all fares until further notice. Fare-free ridership assists customers who might be experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus.

Additionally, PCPT is limiting the number of riders allowed on each bus to 10 to 15 riders at a time. To accommodate this change, PCPT will increase the number of buses on the busiest routes by reassigning them from under-used routes, resulting in a temporary suspension of service on Routes 18, 25, 31 & 41.

To see a complete list of PCPT route, schedule and other operational changes, click here.

Senior Services

All Pasco County Senior Centers are closed, and all senior programs, activities, classes and meetings are cancelled until further notice. Call 727-834-3340 with any questions.

Human Services

Pasco County Human Services offices are closed to the public; however, staff is providing services remotely via email and by phone. Call 727-834-3297 with any questions.

Purchasing

Until further notice, vendors must submit their bids and documents via email before (or on) the day and time required for bids that require a physical bid submission. Be prepared to provide the original documents upon request. All required documents still have to be submitted or the bid will be deemed non-responsive.

Pasco County Utilities (PCU)

PCU Customer Service Centers in Land O’ Lakes and New Port Richey are closed to walk-in customers until further notice. The Dade City location remains open.

PCU is encouraging customers to take advantage of the online and pay-by-phone options. The Land O’ Lakes and New Port Richey locations also have drive-thrus as an alternative to coming into the Customer Service Center.

For more information about Utilities Services & Support, click here.

Pasco County Solid Waste

Pasco County Solid Waste is limiting access to both the West Pasco Resource Recovery and the East Pasco Transfer Station. Only commercial vendors and customers with bagged, household waste will be able to drop off trash.

Both locations will only accept:

  • Residential bagged garbage

  • Commercial landscaping yard waste

  • Commercial junk removal services

The following noncommercial deliveries will not be accepted:

  • Mixed furniture, non-municipal garbage, metal, etc.

  • Paint or other household chemicals

  • Yard trimmings not delivered by a commercial lawn service or hauler

  • Televisions, computer monitors, printers, etc.

  • Refrigerators and other large appliances

  • Any other non-bagged household garbage

Pasco County Public Works

The Pasco County Public Works Office at 4454 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey is closed until further notice; however, residents can call 727-834-3611 during regular business hours.

Pasco County Recycling

Pasco County Recycling has closed three community recycling drop-offs until further notice:

  • Holiday Area Recycling: 2305 Baillies Bluff Road, Holiday

  • Land O’Lakes Area Recycling: 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes

  • Port Richey Area Recycling: 9512 Crabtree Lane, Port Richey

Misdemeanor Probation

Misdemeanor Probation offices are closed but residents can conduct appointments by mail and phone at 727-834-3300 in New Port Richey and 352-521-4250 in Dade City.

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller

The Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office is encouraging the use of online and telephone resources to resolve issues, pay fines, check on public records, track court events and other services. To see a full list of services available remotely, click here.

Pasco County Tax Collector

The tax collector’s five offices are temporarily closed to lobby traffic. The countywide tax collector’s call center will continue to operate. Click here for more information.

Pasco County Property Appraiser

All Property Appraiser’s offices are closed to the public until further notice. Employees are working remotely, and online services are available by clicking here.


This article originally appeared on the New Port Richey Patch