Corona virus
 

If we need to to the hospital with the virus - where do we go? Leesburg hospital and The Villges hospital are already full. There are no beds available prior to the virus.

Does anyone here have the virus?

As of yesterday's news, there were no cases in Sumter County and only 14 in the entire state. Where did you get your information about the hospitals?

Please pay attention to health care officials, local, state, and national. IF, and only IF you have symptoms described as potentially having the Covid19 virus you call your physician. ...period. Arrangements will then be made for your testing IF deemed necessary.
Do not go to the hospital, urgent care, lab testing office, etc. Call your physician then follow their instructions, and if they tell you to go somewhere, then do so. A person cannot go and get a random test done. You must have symptoms and be instructed by your physician to get the test.

Yes, do tell. Hospitals don’t normally release such information.

That said, where DO you go? One can’t just walk into an ER filled with staff and patients who are not protected.

Sorry...typing simultaneously.

The above bears repeating.
Tell your friends, neighbors and relatives.
Make it a priority to inform and hopefully help the system to work.

A large percentage of seasonal residents do not have a PCP here in The Villages. Add to that visitors to our community. Calling your PCP may work for some but not for all. It's a good and valid question.

Then go to an Urgent Care or one of the free-standing ER's---not the hospital one. Fear is real "IF" you keep feeding it by watching the "news". What will the chances be you'll even get the flu or virus???

If you think you have Corona symptoms and don't have PCP here, call an Urgent Care or ER and they will tell you what to do. If you actually do have Corona they don't want you just walking into their waiting room.

Heavens yes. DO NOT WALK IN.

Likely relatively low. But I got a "hunch" that maybe not many cases around the US (and likely including here in FL or this county) have been diagnosed because of the lack of test kits available up until (HOPEFULLY) real soon now. Once these tests get out in full force the entire country will be in for a rude awakening. That's not fear, it's fact and anyone in contact with anyone that had it should get tested (unlike some government officials). There could have been people in hospital with symptoms for weeks that Dr's thought was something else.

If you think you have the flu, please, please call ahead. The staff will direct you on what to do. If they tell you to come then they will be prepared and set up to receive you. I am a critical care nurse (ER), we train for this, but people panic, and come in exposing everyone in the waiting room, and staff. Not everyone in the ER waiting room is there for flu, they have other health issues, and you just exposed them by just coming in. Hand washing always, but carry a small tube of non greasy hand lotion so you don’t dry your hand out and crack the skin. Your skin is your first line of defense. Your toothbrush, the human mouth is full of germs. Every time you use your toothbrush ( even the common cold) you put the germs back in you mouth. I keep a small glass in my bathroom put a little hydrogen peroxide to cover the bristles soak it, then rinse it with cold water. If you use a manual toothbrush you should be throwing it away and use a new one several times a year. DON’T PANIC, use common sense, be self responsible. The government can’t safe you, help yourself, we’re all suppose to be adults take responsibility for your decisions and actions. No one is forcing you to go to the Shannon, Savannah, movie theaters,etc.

The Mayo Clinic at Jacksonville is an option if you can make the trip.

most of our waiters, waitresses and other service personnel are younger. it's possible for them to contract this virus and be asymptomatic or with minor symptoms. they may depend on tips so come to work if they think they only have a cold or allergies. it's not just the residents passing it to each other.

i agree. there's so much misinformation & downright hysteria associated with this. the more outlandish the claims, the less of an impact it's having on me. am sick of hearing about it, already.

I didn't think of that!

This happens just about every year with regular flu cases. Of course, that all gets under-reported in the media. All the focus is now on Coronavirus. Remember, these hospitals are not exclusive to residents of The Villages.

Last year, when my husband was transported by ambulance, they said that he had to be taken to Leesburg because TVRH was full and unable to accept any more patients at that time. It does happen. I can see both being in that position now with the increase in population, not just in TV, but also in the surrounding areas. Neither hospital is not exclusive to Villages residents.

A consideration before driving out of the area; those areas too, will have their own Covid-19 issues with which to contend.

This Virus reminds me of Orson Wells movie War of the worlds were The Aliens

Mayo
 

Yes, this would be my choice.

You are supposed to call the local county health department if you think you have the virus.

What you fear you will attract. \Just one of the unwritten laws of the universe.

IF the statement was true, and IF he is infected

I just got over a COLD and I was sneezing and dripping quite a bit. Was nothing more than a COLD.

I was at a store today picking some stuff up and the cashier was coughing right in front of me. Not even into her hand or a tissue. Even if it's just seasonal allergies she should've at least acknowledged that she was doing it "oh excuse me!" or "sorry" or "it's okay, just allergies promise" or "asthma attack, just a moment please"

Anything would've been less scary than her just exploding her breath out within 3 feet of my face without a word.

You should’ve said something.

If you want to avoid the coronavirus, stay home. If you want to risk it, go out. If you want maximum exposure find a large group of people to mingle with. If you think oh I have a healthy immune system, good, you can survive.. and infect others. We live in Lalaland and nobody dies because we have no cemeteries. I have a friend in TV who is self-isolating with a virus. I don’t believe the Bubble is going to be an effective barrier. An attitude of bluster leads to risk-taking. Look up the resources. Johns Hopkins has a map of cases and it is sobering. Keep your eye on the rising numbers of Florida cases. We are all old—the highest risk factor for death.

Not that I have not also taken risks, but so that we will recognize the severity and measure what we are doing.

There are now 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including a recent confirmation in Seminole County within the past couple of hours. From 14 to 30 in less than 48 hours - that's double, in 2 days. So double that and you might see 60 in 2 days. And in 2 more days, 120. And so on, and so on. "Only" is never only.

The governor, Rick Scott, announced that he has been exposed to it and is in self-quarantine as a result.

Yep. geometric, not arithmetic progression.

10 times more deadly than the flu
 

You are spot on with your post. The Coronavirus is said to be ten times more deadly than the flu. It’s only a matter of time before there is a confirmed case or cases in The Villages. We must be personally diligent and hopefully that will be enough to avoid this virus that has no current vaccine or known helpful treatment.

i've heard the news say we're supposed to call our reg dr's & ask where to go to. we are not supposed to go to a reg walk-in, er or medical center, so i'd start by calling a personal physician

Top South Florida News, Sports, Weather and Entertainment - South Florida Sun-Sentinel 51 cases to date. Sun sentinel has maps of counties and numbers. 16 yesterday and overnight. Most are in Broward County

Florida Department of Health Also has case roster. At the top of the page after you click coronavirus there should be a red bar with info to call with questions. CDC says if you have cough + fever + shortness of breath, call your doctor.

Same happened Feb 15th, my father-in-law fell and the first responders told us The Villages ER was not accepting any patients.

The governor, Rick Scott, announced that he has been exposed to it and is in self-quarantine as a result. Snipped from Post #31.

Rick Scott is now a United States Senator. Ron DeSantis is presently The Governor of Florida.

My estimation is Rick Scott was a Great Manager during Irma and on other issues. He continues to be a good example to the people of Florida as he has Self-Quarantined himself. I think he is a fantastic communicator. How many people feel the symptoms and continue to go on about their daily chores? Some are living on a shoestring and have no choice. It's a shame but its reality.

"Fear not, for some of us are WAY smarter than government officials. Don't believe, just ask us."
We would prefer our officials feed into the frenzy, throwing us all into a dither. What is wrong with some government officials? Taking the optimistic road rather than the more popular "Sky is falling" mode.
Shame on them.

I read a report that said the "actual" doubling rate is six days. The "confirmed" cases may appear to rise faster as diagnostic capabilities are ramped up.