The chairman of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners is echoing Gov. Ron DeSantis in her plea to area residents 65 or older – stay home during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Leslie Campione issued a memo on Wednesday with her request, which also includes those suffering from underlying health conditions. So far, 18 Lake County residents have tested positive for the Coronavirus. Campione said some of those patients live in The Villages, Lady Lake, Eustis, Sorrento, Mascotte, Groveland, Clermont and Leesburg. Five currently are hospitalized as they battle the potentially deadly virus.
Campione encouraged seniors and those with potentially compromised immune systems to avoid going to public places or stores. She said they should rely on friends, relatives or delivery services to bring them food, prescriptions and other supplies.
“I realize this is an inconvenience, but it may save your life,” Campione said. “This is a highly contagious virus that is easily transmitted.”
Campione encouraged residents in the workforce who live with those most susceptible to the virus to take extra precautions.
“It is very important that you do not bring the virus into your home and therefore you should consider staying at home or staying somewhere else at this time,” she said.
Campione added that anyone bringing food or supplies to loved ones should stay outside their homes and maintain a safe distance when making deliveries.
“Wash your hands and all containers that might have come in contact with this virus,” she said. “Remind them to throw away bags and containers immediately and wash their hands after handling them.”
The board chairman also encouraged those who haven’t yet taken precautions to implement them immediately.
“It is not too late,” she said. “In fact, based on the numbers and locations of cases we are seeing in Lake County, now is the time to be most diligent.”
For more information, visit lakecountyfl.gov/COVID-19.
