On Sunday, Gov. Ron Desantis issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency and directing statewide response protocol for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after learning about what were then viewed as two “presumptively” positive cases in Florida. The governor, along with public health officials, held a news conference the following morning and revealed the individuals as residents of Hillsborough and Manatee County. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) insisted both individuals were quickly isolated and will remain isolated until they are cleared by health authorities.

“In accordance with this executive order, the State University System Board of Governors has

directed all faculty, staff and students returning from travel to China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South

Korea to self-quarantine for 14 days and not return to campus for 14 days after their return,” President Donal O’Shea wrote in an email Monday afternoon. “We have two students affected by this directive and we are, of course, complying with it.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, there are no additional updates on how the college plans to address concerns.

“College officials met with the Sarasota County Emergency Management team [Monday] morning and we will continue to be active participants in our response to this situation,” O’Shea wrote.

The FDOH recommends avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when sick, avoiding touching faces with unwashed hands, covering coughs or sneezes with tissues and washing hands with soap and water frequently. 

A more comprehensive article will be published in next week’s issue of the Catalyst.