As COVID-19 continues to break records in Florida the number of cases in Oakland Park continues to surge as well.
“It’s with great frustration that I hear the report that Oakland Park has seen another surprising spike in COVID-19 infections,” said Tim Lonergan, Oakland Park City Commissioner. “The health, well-being and safety of our residents, as well as the visitors of Oakland Park remain a top priority. We continue to partner with Broward County to ensure public adherence to the Executive Orders that were enacted to reduce the spread of the virus.”
As of Tuesday, according to the Florida Department of Health, the total number of cases in Oakland Park now stands at 521. A week ago that number stood at 343 – a 52% increase. The week before the number increased more than 50%.
“Until we all take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and adhere to the guidelines that will reduce the virus, it will control our futures, creating unnecessary long-term sickness and death,” Lonergan said. “Please do your part and safely advocate that others do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
In the last two weeks the number of cases has doubled in the city and over the past 30 days it’s almost quadrupled. At the end of May new weekly cases in Oakland Park had slowed to a trickle.
The total cases in Oakland Park come to about 1.1% of the population. Next door in Wilton Manors it’s about 1.4% of the population. For comparison the percentage of positive tests in Florida amounts to 1.3% of the population.
As Broward County and the rest of the state has reopened, Florida has set multiple records for the number of daily coronavirus cases in the last 30 days. South Florida has paused much of its reopening plans while placing new restrictions on certain businesses.
“Our city continues its outreach efforts to urge residents and businesses to comply with the Broward County Executive Orders and always adhere to the CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Oakland Park Public Information Officer David Rafter. “We realize everyone is stressed, but we must all remain vigilant when it comes to wearing our face masks and practicing social distancing.”
According to FDOH as of Tuesday, 32,814 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Broward County, more than triple the number from 30 days ago.
In Fort Lauderdale there have been 7,268 up from 1,997, 30 days ago. Meanwhile next door in Wilton Manors the number is up to 187.
There are 291,629 confirmed cases in Florida, more than 3.4 million in the U.S., and globally more than 13.2 million. So far there have been 4,409 deaths in Florida, 138,000 in the U.S. and globally more than 576,000.
“Based on facts, the Trump Administration was unprepared, unresponsive and neglectful throughout the entire pandemic. The delay, lack of action and absence of planning and leadership by the Trump Administration has created a nightmare for all Americans,” Lonergan said. “Businesses will suffer much longer than was necessary because a responsible and proactive policy had not been put in place sooner. Governor DeSantis has also furthered the nightmare by not taking all the difficult and proper actions necessary to shorten the pandemic.”
For more local information Lonergan pointed to the Oakland Park Coronavirus Call Center Hotline the city set up at the beginning of the pandemic. It’s available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “to answer questions and redirect residents to the resources they may find helpful.” He also directed residents to this webpage on the city’s website for “a wealth of knowledge, resources and links related to the pandemic.”
Last month the City launched a campaign to encourage residents to shop local with the “Find it in Oakland Park” campaign. Find more information here.
“I encourage everyone to use their leisure time for safer pursuits such as gardening, cooking or enjoying a movie and popcorn night at home,” Rafter said. “A household can purchase monthly video streaming of movies and television for less than the cost of two tickets to a movie.”
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