Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a public health emergency after the state confirmed that two residents have tested “presumptively positive” for the coronavirus known officially as COVID-19.
The governor said in his executive order declaring the emergency that the state Department of Health will be “the lead state agency to coordinate emergency response activities among the various state agencies and local governments,” and that he has directed the “State Health Officer to take any action necessary to protect the public health,” and that this official “is authorized and directed to use his judgment as to the duration of this public health emergency."
The Florida Department of Health announced on Sunday that the two individuals, who live in different counties, will both be isolated until cleared. One, a resident of Manatee County, is described as an adult with no history of visiting the countries that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding because of the outbreak. The other is a resident of Hillsborough County and has a history of visiting Italy, which has 1,694 confirmed coronavirus cases.
“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,” DeSantis said in a statement on Sunday. “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.”
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.