Mucarsel-Powell Moves Quickly To Address Surging COVID-19 Cases In Homestead

Press Release

Following reports that Homestead Hospital is at capacity due to surging COVID-19 cases, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), member of the Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, immediately contacted Homestead Baptist Hospital, Homestead Mayor Steven Losner, and Florida City Mayor Otis Wallace to offer assistance and gather information. The Congresswoman then sent Florida Governor DeSantis' office a request for resources and immediate attention. Mucarsel-Powell gave the following update:

"The reports that Homestead Baptist Hospital's ICU is at capacity are extremely concerning and are a warning sign to all healthcare providers," said Mucarsel-Powell. "I have been in contact with the Baptist Hospital System, Mayor of Homestead, and Mayor of Florida City to offer assistance with this troubling situation. While hospital systems like Baptist Health are managing patients, I have contacted the state and county to request that they work quickly to use the $492 million in federal funding sent to Florida for testing and tracing to immediately (1) surge testing in the area, (2) begin contract tracing, and (3) comfortably quarantine and isolate those with COVID-19. The current transmission rate of COVID-19 is over 1, indicating an increase in community spread, while the confirmed positivity rate is as high as 12% - 16%, showing that these new cases are not just a result of more testing. All evidence points to the conclusion that easing COVID-19 precautions before establishing the necessary comprehensive testing and tracing system is the culprit. As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, I will request a meeting with representatives from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other relevant government agencies so that they can issue guidance to hospital systems facing similarly troubling surges in COVID-19 cases."

Congressional Coronavirus Task Force:

The bipartisan task force was established to marshal the experience and expertise of 33 Congress members and committee leaders to develop an action plan for legislative efforts concerning the coronavirus. The task force will be a vehicle for receiving and disseminating information to Congress and the general public and advocate for needed resources. The task force will also work to compel the Trump Administration to act promptly on combatting the coronavirus.

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