Thread by @DrEricDing

Not good—a #COVID19 outbreak kills 2 staffers in @ManateeGov Florida & hospitalized 3 others, forcing closure of building. 1 of 4 hospitalized staff died. 1 other died at home just 1 day after doctor visit. All were “non-elderly” staff.🧵
bradenton.com/news/coronavir…

2) Unclear vaccination status — “One staffer in the department who worked closely with the other five and didn’t contract the coronavirus was vaccinated. All five who contracted the virus had a sore throat as their initial primary complaint.”

3) “Both staffers who have died, a man and a woman, were in their 50’s. Those who were hospitalized were as young as their late 30’s, according to Hopes, causing him concern that we could be seeing one of the stronger variants in these cases.”

4) “It’s been devastating to staff and it’s been difficult for the organization,” County Administrator Scott Hopes said.

5) “The building will remain closed through the weekend for deep cleaning and sanitation, including fogging. Hopes said he expects regular business hours Monday.
When the building reopens on Monday, COVID-19 safety measures, including a mask requirement, will be in place again

6) “There were 153 new coronavirus infections reported in Manatee County in the past week. There have been 196,248 people, or about 55% of residents 12 years old and older and are eligible, who have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

7) As @ASlavitt and I have warned, low vaccination counties and states will continue to be at risk. Too much of the US still are undervaccinated.

https://twitter.com/Porter_Anderson/status/1405955989275283460

8) Please vaccinate- 2 doses please. Listen to the kids too.

https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1406203938236506113

9) reminder - this is the same Manatee county, Florida where Gov DeSantis hand picked political favorites to get vaccinations first instead of random general community. tampabay.com/news/florida-p…