Jane Castor provides event updates
Tampa mayor Jane Castor provided updates Thursday morning to the Tampa Bay community on coronavirus concerns.
Castor held a press conference with health officials and representatives from Tampa General Hospital, BayCare, and AdventHealth. She reminded Tampa residents to follow CDC guidelines to help avoid infection and reduce transmission of COVID-19.
“Everyone needs to take the simple precautions to avoid getting COVID-19 or coronavirus,” the mayor said.
Health officials present also gave an update on two virus cases in Hillsborough County, stating the two women who tested positive were in self-isolation and “doing well.” Officials all shared a common message: if you experience symptoms or  have any questions, contact the Hillsborough  Health Department or your healthcare provider.
Tampa residents can also text TAMPAREADY to 888-777 to receive coronavirus-related updates.
Mass gatherings in Florida should be cancelled, DeSantis says
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that cities and counties should postpone or cancel any mass gathering for the next 30 days.
DeSantis said he did not have the authority to ban gatherings, but if he did have the authority he would do so. He also stated he talked to the PGA tour and MLB commissioners today about not allowing fans to watch events in person.
Emergency officials have ordered 2,500 additionally coronavirus testing kits, which will be distributed to hospitals around the state.
Event closures and cancellations
Two local schools, Bishop Larkin Catholic School and Farnell Middle School, have closed so far due to COVID-19 concerns.
Bishop Larkin Catholic School, located in Port Richey, decided to switch to online learning for two days after learning the parent of one student contracted coronavirus. The school will be closed Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 in an abundance of caution. In that time, the school will bring in cleaning crews to minimize exposure risk.
The parent is currently in self-quarantine at home with their child and other family members, although no family member is currently showing any symptoms.
Farnell Middle School, in Tampa, is currently in a similar situation. The school was closed Thursday morning after Hillsborough County announced a man at the school came into contact with a coronavirus patient; it is unknown whether the man was a teacher.
The school will be closed through spring break and will take at least the next two days to deep-clean the facilities.
Free School Lunches
The Manatee County school district is taking steps to ensure no children go hungry during spring break next week.
Free food for will be provided for children 18 and under in various locations around. The program, known as the Spring Break Food Service Program, will be run by the district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department.
The program is not based on income level, and the free lunches will be delivered by bus to the different locations. Those wishing to make use of the program should “look out for the Mobile Feeding Bus or Caboose.”
The full menus for the program are available on the Manatee County Food and Nutrition Service website.
Producer:Â Sonu Trivedi
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