TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Saturday to activate Level II to coordinate the state's response to COVID-19 and provide critical support to the Florida Department of Health and county health departments.
The directive follows the announcement on Friday that two individuals have died and two new presumptive positive cases were confirmed in Broward County.
Additionally on Saturday, one new presumptive positive case was confirmed in Lee County.
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“I have directed the Division of Emergency Management to activate to Level II to ensure our state has all the necessary resources engaged as we respond to COVID-19,” said Governor DeSantis. “It is critical that we proactively coordinate all state resources to mitigate the threat and contain COVID-19. I urge all Floridians to take necessary precautions and follow hygiene guidelines issued by the Surgeon General and Florida Department of Health.”
Governor DeSantis issued an Executive Order on Sunday, March 1, 2020, which directed Surgeon General Rivkees to declare a public health emergency to better equip Florida with the resources to deal with the public health threat.
The governor has requested $25 million from the Florida Legislature for the Florida Department of Health to be used immediately to assist with the COVID-19 response.
For the total case count in Florida, visit the Florida Department of Health's website .
