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Mayor Demings declares state of emergency for Orange County due to surge in COVID-19 cases

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From the Orange County Newsroom

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the level of community transmission in Orange County, FL is high.

As of July 28, 2021, the Florida Department of Health is reporting that Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is more than 15.58 percent. Additional County statistic include:

Orange County residents 12+ with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: 62.34 percent

Single-day positivity rate for July 27: 19.18 percent

New COVID-19 cases in Orange County: 1,371—an all-time high

Total positive cases for Orange County residents: 160,503

Total deaths in Orange County: 1,390

A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY AND MASK RECOMMENDATION

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings announced and signed Executive Order 2021-24, declaring a State of Local Emergency for Orange County.

The executive order strongly considers the data from Orange County health care providers that have experienced an increase in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19 resulting in more inpatients and more ventilator use for some providers than at any other time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full Executive Order: ocfl.net/ExecutiveOrders

In accordance with the CDC’s recent announcement, Mayor Demings continues to strongly recommend that all residents – vaccinated and unvaccinated – consider wearing a mask indoors while in a crowded environment. Additionally, businesses are encouraged to display signs recommending patrons wear a mask when indoors.

By instituting these measures, Orange County wants all residents and visitors to know that the County is taking the coronavirus resurgence seriously and is doing its best to institute safety measures to try to mitigate the number of new, COVID-19 cases.

ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES – VACCINE AND MASK REQUIREMENT

To provide a safe working environment for employees and residents, Mayor Demings announced that all Orange County Government employees will be required to wear a mask or face covering when in the presence of others inside any County facility, effective immediately.

In addition, all new and existing non-union Orange County Government employees will have until September 30, 2021 to become fully vaccinated. Employees who decide to receive a two-dose vaccine will need to receive their first shot by August 31, 2021.

The County will provide reasonable accommodations for employees who are unable to be vaccinated for documented legally covered reasons. For those employees who are in a union, the County will engage in impact bargaining with the respective collective bargaining units regarding these requirements.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASK FORCE TO CONVENE

In an effort to create a measured approach to keeping the local economy open for business during the pandemic, Mayor Demings announced that the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force will reconvening on Monday, August 2, 2021, from 1 to 2 p.m., for a virtual WebEx meeting.

With the local state of emergency in place, the County wants to ensure local businesses stay open and are ready to serve the public in the safest manner possible. Orange TV will carry the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting live at ocfl.net/OrangeTV.

County Employee Requirements, COVID-19, Economic Recovery Task Force, Executive Order, Florida Department of Health, Mask, Orange County Government, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, State of Emergency, Surge, Vaccine

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