Governor: At least 830 test positive for virus in Florida

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Floridians to stay home and not panic as the state tests more people for the novel coronavirus, finding that at least 830 people across the state have been infected.

Twelve people have died, including the first fatality in Palm Beach County. Nearly half of the state's positive cases are in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

But DeSantis stressed that the results should not cause undue concern.

“The vast, vast majority of people are testing negative for this,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis held a news conference at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where the National Guard opened a drive-thru testing site. On Sunday, they were only testing first responders. On Monday, they planned to expand it to people at least 65 years old who are showing symptoms of the illness.

According to state figures, more than 9,700 people have been tested for the virus. That's more than most states, but less than New York.

The virus causes only minor flu-like symptoms in most people, who recover in a matter of weeks. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health problems. Severe cases are often only able to breathe with respirators.

DeSantis has called for a ban on elective surgery, in part so hospital staff have enough personal protective equipment available for coronavirus patients.

He did not call for a “shelter in place” order, unlike governors in California, New York and Illinois, who have ordered such restrictive measures.

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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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