First Confirmed Coronavirus Case Reported in Keys 

The first confirmed case of coronavirus in the Florida Keys was announced late Thursday.

The patient, who acquired the virus while on an overseas trip, is being treated under state health department protocols, said Bob Eadie, administrator and health administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County.

Earlier Thursday, citing concerns about increasing coronavirus threats for visitors and residents, Florida Keys government officials announced plans to close the island destination to visitors beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Florida Keys lodging businesses are directed to close at that time.

The only exception is for long-term renters in vacation homes and R/V parks with contracts of 28 days or more, who are presently in the Keys. They are to be allowed to remain until the conclusion of their contracts.

Hotels are directed to stop taking new reservations effective immediately, officials said. They added they will re-evaluate the tourism closures and make changes when appropriate.

As of midnight last night the City declares that attractions and activities which support social gatherings to ten or more people in a limited area and operate within or from the City of Key West shall cease operations by 12 a.m. on Friday, March 20th. These include gymnasiums, fitness studios, movie theaters, museums, sightseeing vehicles carrying ten or more passengers and/or crew, attraction tour vessels and charter boats carrying ten or more passengers and/or crew, commercial motor coaches, tour buses and similar vehicles carrying ten or more passengers and /or crew.

Here are the other closures that occurred this week:

  • All bars and nightclubs
  • On-site dining at all restaurants; limited only to take out and delivery
  • Mallory Square
  • Smathers Beach
  • The Southernmost Point
  • All parks and playgrounds
  • All recreational facility, including the PAL and Douglass gyms
  • Suspended the Duval Loop
  • Limited the Ferry Terminal outbound passengers only

The City has established a hotline that is staffed 24/7: 305-809-1101

For up-to-date information on the status of Monroe County and COVID-19, go to www.Monroecountyem.com, www.floridahealth.gov, or www.CDC.gov. In addition, The Florida Department of Health has put up a 24/7 information hotline: 1-866-779-6121.

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