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Pasco County Has Vaccinated Over 130,000 Florida Residents Against COVID-19, Continues Testing on Mondays and Fridays

March 30, 2021

 

The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco), in partnership with Pasco County Emergency Management, Sears at the Gulf View Square Mall and Saint Leo University, continues to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to Florida residents in an effort to keep the percent positive on a downward trend. 

DOH-Pasco partnered with BayCare Health System to test individuals for COVID-19 in March 2020. Since then, a total of 442,889 tests have been performed, and 220,356 Pasco County residents have been tested. Over the past 45 days, the number of people seeking COVID-19 testing has dropped significantly, which has led to reducing the number of days test are being offered. However, the percentage of positive cases remains higher than the 5 percent target for community transmission, and community mitigation measures still need to be followed.  

As of Monday, March 29, Pasco County has vaccinated 130,178 people: 63,045 people have received their first doses and 67,133 people have completed their second doses. In addition, Pasco County Emergency Management has coordinated the distribution of 29,085 vaccines to Florida residents in 55+ communities. 

Beginning Monday, March 29, per the Governor’s Executive Order 21-79, all providers administering COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

  • Long-term care facility residents and staff
  • Persons 40 years of age and older
  • Health care personnel with direct patient contact 

In addition, beginning April 5, all Floridians will be eligible to receive COVID-19 as prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration. 

This week, DOH-Pasco began offering COVID-19 vaccine to residents who are 40 years of age or older, as well as all those listed above. Florida residents age 40 – 49 can now go to patientportalfl.com or call 1-844-770-8548 to create an account. Appointments open every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for the following week. The DOH-Pasco vaccination sites only appear on the CDR Maguire Patient Portal when appointments are available.

Providers may also vaccinate persons age 18 or older whom a physician deems to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Such physician determinations must include a statement that the patient meets the defined eligibility criteria and established by the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Determination of Extreme Vulnerability Form completed by a hospital provider or their physician. Eligible residents must present the completed form at their appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

DOH-Pasco continues to look for ways to reach and vaccinate residents 40 years of age and older. Working with home health agencies, hospitals and physician’s offices, we are expanding their capacity to provide vaccinations. In coordination with state and county efforts, we are exploring a homebound program to reach individuals in those situations. 

The statewide COVID-19 vaccine registration system is also available. Florida residents can go online to MyVaccine.FL.govor call 866-201-7092 to be put on a waitlist that is being run by state sponsored sites. More COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, and community partners – including retail pharmacies, hospital systems and physician’s offices – are beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccine and put infrastructure in place to vaccinate Pasco County residents. Florida residents can also find vaccination sites by county or city on the Florida Department of Health Vaccine Locator webpage. 

Reminder:Pasco County’s Executive Order issued in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 remains in effect. Face coverings are still required in most indoor public places in Pasco County, where social distancing cannot be maintained. Pasco County’s Face Coverings Order was issued in June and will remain in effect through Pasco’s Local State of Emergency, or until the county rescinds the order, whichever comes first. To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Pasco County’s order, please visit MyPasco.net or call Pasco County Customer Service at 727-847-2411. 

TESTING REMINDER: In response to fewer people seeking COVID-19 testing, DOH-Pasco is now only providing COVID-19 testing on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sears in the Gulf View Square Mall. Testing is NOT provided at Saint Leo University.

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