Confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose to 85 in Wilton Manors and 77 in Oakland Park as of Sunday. Last week those numbers stood at 74 and 73.
“I know people are anxious to get back to work and to their active lives, but continued social distancing is necessary not only for our own safety but for everyone with whom we are in contact,” said Wilton Manors City Commissioner Gary Resnick.
According to the Florida Department of Health as of Sunday, 5,312 people have tested positive in Broward County, up from 4,794 a week ago. On Monday, Florida entered phase 1 of its reopening, but that does not include Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties.
Locally in Wilton Manors some parks reopened Monday including Hagen Park, Mickel Park and all boat ramps, which will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Guidelines for visiting the parks are as follows:
– All visitors must practice six-feet social distancing and wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible
– Tennis courts may be used for singles play only
– Limited restroom facilities and water fountains will be open
“The measured opening of some parks in the City which took effect Monday, is an appropriate response, given that Florida, Broward County, and Wilton Manors continue to see cases climb and more people are dying from this virus,” Resnick said.
In Fort Lauderdale there have been 1,240 (1,100) cases. (The numbers in parenthesis are from last week.)
Meanwhile there are 36,078 (32,138) confirmed cases in Florida, more than 1.2 million (1 million) in the U.S., and globally more than 3.5 million (3 million). So far there have been 1,379 (1,088) deaths in Florida, 69,000 (56,000) in the U.S. and globally more than 250,000 (211,000).
Looking at the four individual zip codes that include some portion of Wilton Manors 33305 has 69 (62) cases; 33306 has 8 (6); 33334 has 84 (75), and 33311, which includes a large part of Fort Lauderdale has 319 (273). All of the zip codes include portions of neighboring cities.
Wilton Manors City Commissioner Julie Carson is encouraging those that have the ability to donate money to give to this GoFundMe page, set up to assist the employees of Wilton Manors businesses. So far it has raised $6,926.
Manor Pines Convalescent Center, an assisted living facility in the city, has 59 current cases among residents and staff. This number, however, is not cumulative. Last week that number was 65. It was updated May 1. Three residents from the facility have died of COVID-19.
Carson previously said, “These numbers remind us that we must continue to be diligent in social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands.”
Visit Facebook.com/groups/WMGazette to join the Gazette's community Facebook page.
RELATED STORY: Nursing Facility in Wilton Manors Identified as COVID-19 ‘Hot Spot’ in City