Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.
During the time that the nation and word has been fighting the COVID-19 virus, there have been no shortage of numbers. There have been the number of people who have tested positive, there have been numbers associated with the people who have been hospitalized and sadly, there have been numbers showing the people who have succumbed to the disease. One significant piece to the corona puzzle has been the number of people who have contracted the virus and have recovered. That number may prove to be a bit elusive, since many who have contracted the virus have shown very mild, if any, symptoms at all. Considering the notion that, so far in our area, only those who have shown symptoms or those who have been in contact with known positive cases have been tested, it could stand to reason that there are many who may have been contracted the virus and have recovered.
Many health experts have said that symptoms usually arise within 14 days of exposure to the virus. Many of those who have shown symptoms have been sick for a short period of time with mild symptoms and have improved in three or four days. Others have been ill with greater symptoms for a longer period of time. This inconsistency in the length of time of the illness is one factor that has made it difficult to determine a definite number of patients who have recovered from the virus.
Greene Publishing, Inc. asked the Madison County Department of Health for the number of people who have tested positive and have recovered. The response was: “The state is developing new efforts daily as we respond to COVID-19 to keep Floridians and visitors safe and informed about the status of the virus,” said Lisa Hayes, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health. “Currently, there are multiple ways for recovered cases to be recorded and several methods are used by different countries and states. Some states and countries measure a case as recovered when a person has had COVID-19 for more than 14 days, while others upon hospital discharge data – neither of which completely capture recovery of the full COVID positive population. The Florida Department of Health will continue to provide information on hospitalizations and deaths to keep the public informed about the threat of the virus.”
Currently, there are tests being developed that will help determine those who have had exposure to the virus. It is hoped that this will give a more accurate picture of just how widespread and serious the virus has been. This information could be valuable in terms of future plans for the continued fight against the virus. In the meantime, people are still encouraged to continue mitigation efforts, such as social distancing, etc.