Confirmed cases of COVID-19 surged 35% this week to 74 in Wilton Manors. One week ago that number was at 55. In Oakland Park, the number is up 15% to 73 cases. Last week that number was at 63.  Two weeks ago those numbers stood at 39 in Wilton Manors and 34 in Oakland Park.

“The number of COVID-19 positive cases [...] has increased significantly over the last couple of weeks,” Wilton Manors City Commissioner Paul Rolli said. “This was expected with the increase in testing.”

According to the Florida Department of Health as of  Monday morning, 4,794 people have tested positive in Broward County, up from 4,078 a week ago.

In order to help mitigate the impact of the shutdown Wilton Manors City Commissioner Julie Carson previously told the Gazette, the city has canceled code enforcement fine accruals; parking fees in metered lots have been suspended, and online convenience fees have been waived. She also said there will be no utility shutoffs. 

The numbers in parenthesis are from last week. Looking at the four individual zip codes that include some portion of Wilton Manors 33305 has 62 (39) cases; 33306 has 6;  33334 has 75 (66), and 33311, which includes a large part of Fort Lauderdale has 273 (243). All of the zip codes include portions of neighboring cities.

“Remember bell curves and bar graphs from school? Coronavirus numbers are still climbing the curve and the bars are rising daily,” Carson said. 

In comparison to Wilton Manors there have been 1,100 (922) cases in Fort Lauderdale. Meanwhile there are 32,138 (27,058) confirmed cases in Florida, more than 1 million  (790,000) in the U.S., and globally more than 3 million (2.4 million). So far there have been 1,088 (823) deaths in Florida, 56,000 (42,000) in the U.S. and globally more than 211,000 (170,000).

Florida is now under a stay-at-home order and in Broward only essential businesses are allowed to operate.

Additionally Broward County is now mandating the use of face coverings when visiting essential businesses for services, or are providing essential services during in-person interactions with the public.

Carson also encouraged 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 $5,111. 

Carson believes the pandemic will have a significant impact on the city government including a loss of $500,000 to $700,000 in revenue. Carson expects the commission to revise the budget and possibly make cuts in services. 

“The harsh reality is COVID-19 will negatively impact the economy of residents, businesses and city resources,” Rolli said. “City leaders must look hard at fiscal issues and priorities for the balance of this year and the next two years.”

The city manager, Carson said, is working to develop a coordinated reopening with the rest of South Florida.

“We are in regular contact with Mayors and City Managers of the other local cities and with County officials,” Commissioner Rolli said. “The City is not able to reopen until robust testing is underway in concert with regional guidelines.”

Manor Pines Convalescent Center, an assisted living facility in the city, has 65 confirmed cases among residents and staff. 

“Although the Florida Department of Health does not report the number of residents at ALFs, Rehabilitation Centers, or Nursing homes who have tested positive for the virus, records reflect that Manor Pines in Wilton Manors has some positives, but all other facilities are clear,” Carson said. “These numbers remind us that we must continue to be diligent in social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands.”

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