DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES TWO PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES IN FLORIDA

Risk to Florida Public Remains Low

Contact: Communications Office: NewsMedia@flhealth.gov;  (850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health (Department) has announced there are two presumptive positive cases of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Florida. Both individuals remain in isolation at this time. Despite these cases in Florida, the overall immediate threat to the public remains low.

Governor Ron DeSantis said, “I have been working with federal partners and our Department of Health to ensure that communities are ready to handle the challenges presented by COVID-19. The dedicated professionals at our county health departments, as well as those working at local medical providers, are well equipped to address these and future cases. State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees has taken appropriate, decisive action to help affect the best possible outcomes, and I will continue directing our state agencies to do whatever is necessary to prioritize the health and well-being of Florida residents.”

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said, “Florida is a national leader in public health, and that quickly became evident as soon as we received information regarding presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in our state. Public health teams from our Department of Health have already begun engaging with the impacted individuals and are quickly working towards identifying and contacting everyone who may be potentially affected by this virus. Thanks to the extensive preparations and tireless work the Department’s staff has been undertaking since information regarding COVID-19 became available in early January, our county health departments, medical providers and all other partners in public health are well prepared to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees said, “This is the scenario that we prepare for every day in public health. The Department is moving forward with the appropriate plans, and we are working directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local medical providers to ensure these individuals receive the proper treatment and that anyone who has come into contact with them is following the necessary protocols, limiting or stopping any further spread. Thanks to Florida’s integrated public health system, we have been able to proactively engage and plan with our public health partners at every level, enabling us to take these important steps in a very expeditious manner. Our epidemiological teams are among the best in the nation, and they are right now aggressively pursuing every potential lead during these critical early moments of this outbreak in Florida.”

The first patient is an adult Manatee county resident without travel history to countries identified for restricted travel by the CDC. This person did seek health care, is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The Florida Department of Health is working closely with the patient, their close contacts and health care providers to isolate and monitor persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and implement testing of anyone who may develop COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

The second patient is an adult resident of Hillsborough county with a history of travel to Italy. This person is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As a reminder, the Department always recommends everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
• Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
– If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; and
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The CDC does not recommend that asymptomatic, healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

A person that experiences a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and any other destination under CDC travel advisory should call ahead to their health care provider and local county health department (CHD) and mention their recent travel or close contact.

If a person has had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area or been in contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, they should call ahead to a health care professional and the county health department. The health care professional will work with the Department to determine if the person should be tested for COVID-19.

Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage at www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19. This remains the best and most up-to-date resource for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121 or emailing COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. In addition, please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/all-county-locations.html to locate and obtain contact information for your local CHD. The CDC also has a website with information related to COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

About the Florida Department of Health The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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[Jacksonville, Fla] Last night, 400+ people gathered at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine for the Northeast Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (FRLA) 12^th Annual ROSE Awards. The ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards, which recognize front-line hospitality champions in the region, honored 26 individuals at this year’s event. Area hotels and restaurants nominated more than 100 workers from more than 37 different companies to acknowledge those making a difference in Northeast Florida’s hospitality community. Last night’s winners each received a trophy, gift cards from local businesses, and recognition from both industry peers and industry leadership.

“These incredible men and women represent just a small fraction of the outstanding hospitality employees in Northeast Florida,” said Nicole Chapman, Regional Director for FRLA and the event’s organizer. “Of more than 60,000 hospitality workers in our region, these nominees are true ambassadors to Northeast Florida and our community. We are thrilled to honor them and their hard work.”

The 2020 ROSE Award winners are:

President’s Award: Abdel Adili, Omni Jacksonville Hotel & Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Hospitality Hero: Greg Savage, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Administrative Assistant: Farrah Jones, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Allied Member Spotlight: George ‘Jaime’ Stadtfeld, Walmart San Jose
Banquets: Sayed Alamy, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Bartender / Mixologist: Danny Welsh, One Ocean Resort & Spa
Behind the Scenes: Andrews Asare, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Culinary Service – Chef / Cook Hotel: Conchita Besarra-Spicer, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
Culinary Service – Chef/Cook Restaurant: Peter Zhang, House of Leaf & Bean
Customer Service – Concierge, Recreation, Spa: Amanda Clark, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Customer Service – Event Services: Robert N. Kihara, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Customer Service – Tourism Ambassador: Robyn Jackson, Visit Jacksonville
Food & Beverage – Support: Todd Fuger, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
Guest Service – Front Desk, Full-Service Hotel: Nichole Storch, Renaissance Resort
Guest Service – Front Desk, Select Service Hotel: Jacqueline McGowan, Seaside Amelia Inn
Guest Service – Housekeeping, Full-Service Hotel: John Yongao, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Guest Service – Housekeeping, Select Service Hotel: Derick Brown, Flagler Inn
Guest Service – Laundry: Sharon Books, DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront
Guest Service – Maintenance / Engineer: Mary Jane Blair, Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Guest Service – Security:  Kathy Jeffers, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Guest Service – Valet / Bell Attendant: Brian Pepitone, DoubleTree Jacksonville Riverfront
Server – Restaurant, Casual Dining: Nina Britten, Sunset Grille
Server – Restaurant, Fine Dining: Scott Kellog, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Server – Restaurant, Hotel: Ethan Thomas and Rebecca Gardner, Courtyard by Marriott Mayo Clinic Campus/Beaches
Restaurant – Quick Service: Ruby Martell, Culver’s of Middleburg
Transportation – Airport, Ground & Water: Candace Van Kalleveen, East Coast Transportation & Limousine

For more information about the ROSE Awards, contact FRLA Northeast Chapter Regional Director Nicole Chapman at 904-574-2259 or nchapman@frla.org.

Students partnered with famous chefs to help prepare top-tier culinary dishes during star-studded fundraiser to fight hunger relief

[Hollywood, Fla] Over 100 Florida ProStart students and their teachers had the opportunity to volunteer and support Saturday night’s Taste of the NFL, a star-studded fundraiser to fight hunger relief the night before the Super Bowl.

Students got their own real-world taste of working a high-profile event, held at the Diplomat Beach Resort in South Florida, where they were assigned to renowned chefs to set up and prepare food, serve tasting plates and assist in cleanup. Over 30 food stations were hosted by each NFL team and featured a current NFL Player, Hall of Famer or Legend.

The students are enrolled in ProStart®, a high school career and technical education program created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) focused on culinary arts and restaurant management. The program is run at the state level by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA).

“This has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said Jordyn Wilson, ProStart student from Marathon High School located in the Florida Keys. Wilson worked at the Oakland Raiders table with Chef Tonya Holland, cookbook author and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, CA, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Holland has also appeared on Top Chef.

“The Taste of the NFL provided Florida’s ProStart students with an amazing opportunity to participate in an amazing event for a wonderful cause, which deepened their appreciation and excitement for the industry,” said Laura Rumer, Director of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation. “By the time the night was over, several students received job offers so they can continue their careers. We appreciate the opportunity to be involved and look forward to working with the Taste of the NFL on the 2021 event.” 

Participating high schools included:

1. Hialeah Gardens High School
2. John A. Ferguson Senior High School
3. Miami Sunset Senior High School
4. Nova High School
5. Coral Springs High School
6. Atlantic Technical High School
7. Martin County High School
8. Melbourne High School
9. Winter Springs High School
10. Marathon High School

 “This will be a night that I will never forget,” said Aiden Della Costa, ProStart student from Melbourne High School who worked at the New York Giants table with Chef Brenton Lee, executive chef at Tribeca Grill in New York City.

ProStart serves nearly 150,000 students across the country, and the state of Florida alone accounts for over 20 percent of those students. ProStart offers students a platform to discover new interests and talents through a curriculum that includes all facets of culinary arts and restaurant management, and sets a high standard of excellence for the industry’s next generation of leaders.

A key component of the program includes employment opportunities for students while enrolled and/or once they graduate, especially in Florida, where tourism is one of the state’s top economic drivers. Last year, restaurant and foodservice jobs accounted for 12 percent of employment across the state.

Taste of the NFL started in the Twin Cities in 1992 when Minneapolis hosted the Super Bowl for the first time. Each year, the event coincides with the big game in the hosting city. Since its inception, Taste of the NFL has donated $25 million to food banks and nonprofit organizations in the 32 NFL cities.

Learn more about ProStart in Florida and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association here.
Learn more about the Taste of the NFL and the Kick Hunger Challenge here.

There is a pervasive evil that has infiltrated our communities. It is an evil so vile that it deprives our society’s most vulnerable of their freedom, independence, and dreams.

This evil is human trafficking. It targets helpless individuals during their most desperate moments by breaking their spirit and instilling fear and shame. It is also a scourge that preys on our youth, robbing them of their childhood innocence and stripping them of their dignity. Tragically, the public is often unaware of its existence allowing it to thrive globally and creep into our nation’s backyard.

Human trafficking is the second-largest illicit industry and is the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise, earning exploiters upwards of $150 billion. Over 20 million victims are coerced into unthinkable situations that range from prostitution to drug addiction to forced labor.

With all eyes this weekend on Miami for Super Bowl LIV, this crime occurring “in the shadows” is all too real.  Sporting events of this magnitude often come with an uptick in trafficking activity and a subsequent increase in arrests.  According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 169 perpetrators were arrested as part of an FBI Operation into sex trafficking ahead of the 2019 Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.

Florida has so much to offer. Beautiful beaches and bustling nightlife make our state a mecca for visitors from every corner of the globe. Unfortunately, alongside the glitz and glamour comes an ugly underworld of human trafficking.

The Sunshine State ranks number 3 in calls to the national hotline. South Florida is the third-busiest region for human trafficking, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ reports the average age of most first time victims of human trafficking range between 12 and 14. And because of location and multiple major interstate highways, international seaports and airports, Miami and Tampa are leading in trafficking incidences.

But now, for the first time ever, the Super Bowl has partnered with state and local agencies to launch a public awareness campaign to shed light on a crime that has lurked in the dark for decades. And the only way for darkness to cease to exist is to be exposed to light.  Thus, awareness must be at the forefront of eradicating human trafficking once and for all. And with increasing awareness, each day more and more victims of trafficking are breaking free from the bonds of this treacherous evil.

Take Christa Hicks for example. Raised by a drug-addicted mother, Christa, herself, was a victim of rape at the young age of 13 and found herself living on the streets during her teen years. Desperate for someone to provide solace, she fell prey to a man that would exploit her and hold her against her will for several years. She endured sexual exploitation, numerous rapes and became addicted to drugs. After being arrested and incarcerated, she participated in a life-changing program called Faith Farm.

Today, Hicks has risen out of the grips of poverty, sex trafficking, and drug addiction, to aid victims just like her. She is a certified clinical trauma professional and the Executive Director of Anti-Trafficking at One More Child, a nonprofit division of the Lakeland-based Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. Hicks and so many recovering victims epitomize strength, resilience, healing, and hope.

Florida has chosen to face this demon head-on. From supporting survivors with essential services to additional training of law enforcement and medical personnel, the state continues to push forward in its battle against trafficking in support of Christa and countless others who share her story.

Additionally, our state has engaged in valuable private sector partnerships, such as the Truckers Association, The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and UBER in order to focus on dealing with this issue in a multi-faceted manner.

The Sunshine State is also working with the Department of Health to ensure staff has the training and resources to identify and screen victims in order to get them the help they need. And furthermore, a child trafficking prevention education curriculum has been adopted in grades K-12 on prevention and awareness in a developmentally appropriate manner. All these efforts are examples of Florida’s leadership on this issue.

On Sunday, when the smoke clears, the Lombardi trophy has been awarded, the message will reverberate— Florida is closed for business as it relates to human trafficking and we will not rest until we eradicate this evil from our communities because human beings are not for sale.

Jeanette Nuñez is the first Hispanic woman Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida, and a former Representative of the Florida House. She serves on the Statewide Human Trafficking Council and is a member of the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force for Super Bowl LIV

Miami Event Kicks off Human Trafficking Awareness Month with Local, National Groups, Florida Officials

(L-R: Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Carol Dover, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Miami Super Bowl Host Committee Executive Director Ray Martinez, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers)

[Miami, Fla] The hotel industry convened today the National Football League, national and local Florida organizations and human trafficking prevention groups to kick off a month-long series of events to raise awareness about the scourge of human trafficking which affects 40 million people around the globe. In an effort to help spot and stop traffickers who exploit the travel and tourism industry, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), convened a half-day summit with key stakeholders which included a training of hotel employees

Joined by Attorney General Ashley Moody, lawmakers and leading experts, the event highlighted pivotal partnerships with law enforcement and effective tools that have been implemented to reduce the number of incidents of trafficking in hotels.

Due to an influx of visitors during large events such as the Super Bowl, increased instances of human trafficking can occur, which is why the hotel industry launched a pivotal campaign last year, No Room for Trafficking, with the goal of training every hotel employee to spot and stop trafficking. As part of this month’s awareness activities, AHLA is convening the broader travel community to help raise awareness around this critical issue.

The event featured a human trafficking prevention training session certifying at least 200 hotel employees and highlighted the launch of It’s a Penalty’s fifth global campaign, the third around the Super Bowl, to raise awareness among sports fans and the general public in an effort to educate about the signs and ways to report instances of trafficking. It’s a Penalty launched the campaign in coordination with event attendees A21, as well as the Super Bowl Host Committee, The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade, the Office of Miami-Dade State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the Miami Dolphins and the NFL, and in partnership with local, state and federal agencies including the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, HSI, FBI, federal and local trafficking task forces, and over 300 local community partner organizations.

 “Human trafficking is a deplorable crime that damages and destroys millions of lives. Because of this, the hotel industry is committed to helping lead the way in bringing it to an end. Our goal is to ultimately have every hotel employee in the United States trained on how to spot and stop trafficking,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “We believe it is critical to convene our entire industry around a united approach to combat human trafficking and build partnerships with law enforcement officers and leaders in the prevention space, such as Attorney General Ashley Moody and leading prevention partners like It’s a Penalty and A21. While there is still much more to do, we believe our shared commitment to training and education will continue to make a difference.”

Already each year, thousands of hotel employees are trained on how to spot and stop trafficking. With the launch of AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking campaign and AAHOA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training, the hotel industry is continuing its strong record by convening the entire industry around the goal of training every hotel worker.

 Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Human trafficking dehumanizes victims and deteriorates our society. It is vital that we utilize partnerships across all levels of government and industry to end this atrocious crime. That is why I am proud to support Florida’s hotel industry and prevention partners ahead of Super Bowl LIV as we unite efforts around our shared goal of ending human trafficking. I strongly encourage all service industries to train their employees to spot and report these crimes. Working together we can end trafficking in Florida and build a stronger safer Florida.”

“We’re so proud to launch our Super Bowl campaign in Miami in partnership with hotel industry leaders, the Attorney General and Florida lawmakers. By harnessing the power of sport to prevent exploitation, we will comprehensively address trafficking by raising awareness, educating the public and training employees,” said Sarah de Carvalho, CEO It’s a Penalty Campaign. 

 “Florida’s hospitality industry is second to none and, therefore, is an incredibly vulnerable target for human trafficking,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are committed to stopping this horrible crime, and we are proud of our efforts to equip our hospitality team members. Engaging and empowering those on the forefront to recognize and expose traffickers is essential to this fight. We will continue our efforts with local, state, and national partners to ensure safety throughout our industry.”

“A hotel’s front desk can be the first line of defense when it comes to saving lives and keeping human traffickers out of our communities. That’s why America’s hotel owners are committed partners in the fight against trafficking. Through education and awareness initiatives, we are working to ensure that every hotel owner and their employees are trained to identify and respond to instances of human trafficking,” said AAHOA President and CEO Cecil Staton.

“This campaign will shed light on the severity of this issue, both here in Florida and across the country, and will allow thousands to learn the signs of human trafficking.  We are proud to partner with the hotel industry here ahead of the Super Bowl in this critical effort,” said Mollie Thorsen, U.S. Director of Advocacy, A21. 

Throughout National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, AHLA will continue efforts to raise public awareness and facilitate collaboration with policymakers, law enforcement and hoteliers on best practices for policies, procedures and training to enhance our human trafficking prevention efforts. January’s activities will be the first of many during this year’s No Room for Trafficking push. Looking further into 2020, AHLA will be highlighting the industry’s on-going efforts with targeted events across the country including Massachusetts, Arizona, Nevada, Delaware, California, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland, West Virginia and more. We will also be working with key states to advance legislation at the state level and continuing to provide our members and industry with on-going support and resources. We will continue to grow and enhance the industry’s efforts with partnerships and member engagement.

Attorney General Moody, Florida Lawmakers, Miami Dolphins and the NFL, National Organizations and Local Partners participate as part of AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking Campaign

[Miami, Fla] On Thursday, January 9, hotel industry officials, lawmakers, local partners and leading experts are joining forces ahead of Super Bowl LIV to rally against human trafficking. Large events, such as the Super Bowl, can create opportunities for instances of human trafficking due to an influx of visitors, and the hotel industry is tackling this through the No Room for Trafficking Campaign and support of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This half-day summit aims to spotlight what can be done to spot and stop traffickers in Florida.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), is convening Attorney General Ashley Moody, state lawmakers, local hoteliers, and human trafficking prevention organizations It’s a Penalty and A21 to expand on nationwide efforts. The event will include a human trafficking prevention training session for hotel employees at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

The event will also include an official launch and overview of the It’s A Penalty campaign in partnership with Miami Super Bowl Host Committee and with support from AHLA, FRLA, A21, The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade, the Office of Miami-Dade State Attorney, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the Miami Dolphins and the NFL. The campaign is also in partnership with local, state and federal agencies including the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, HSI, FBI, federal and local trafficking task forces, and over 300 local community partner organizations.

The state officials and lawmakers will also participate in a human trafficking prevention training session with local hotel employees at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The hotel industry has long recognized the critical role it plays in ending the scourge of human trafficking, and through innovative techniques and employee training is building upon current efforts ahead of the Super Bowl to ensure all employees are trained in identifying, reporting and stopping instances of human trafficking.

Already each year, thousands of hotel employees are trained on how to identify and stop trafficking. With the launch of AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking campaign and AAHOA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Training, the hotel industry builds on its strong record by convening the entire industry around the goal of training every hotel worker.

Visit here for more information on the No Room for Trafficking regional event.