Call (941) 861-2883 before contacting, visiting health care providers
Sarasota – The Sarasota County Health Department has established a COVID-19 call center for Sarasota County residents that believe they may have coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following persons to be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19:
- Anyone showing symptoms of the disease, including fever, cough and shortness of breath;
- Anyone who has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19; and
- Anyone who has recently traveled from a country or area with widespread or ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Sarasota County residents who believe they may have COVID-19 are asked to call the Sarasota COVID-10 call center before visiting health care providers.
The Sarasota County COVID-19 call center number is (941) 861-2883. Subject-matter experts are on duty 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
The Department of Health runs a hotline that anyone who believes they may have coronavirus can call, as well. The number is (866) 779-6121 and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days week.
Subject-matter experts will interview callers to determine whether they are at risk for having COVID-19, based on travel history, contact with confirmed cases and other factors.
The Department of Health (DOH) routinely updates case counts, prevention tips, worldwide developments, reputable links and more at its COVID-19 web page: www.flhealth.gov/covid-19 . Any questions that the web page cannot answer can be phoned into the State Health Office hotline (866-779-6121) or emailed to covid-19@health.gov . The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County continues to encourage the public to exercise prevention tips:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow (not your hands) if a tissue is not available
- Try not to touch your face with unwashed hands
- Frequently clean and disinfect touched surfaces
- Don’t touch or shake hands with people who are sick
- Stay home when you’re sick and keep your children home when they’re sick
The Department of Health in Sarasota continues to work with local partners – hospitals, clinics, government, schools, businesses, emergency management, law enforcement, tourist development and more — to shape messaging and address specific concerns. ###
About the Florida Department of HealthThe Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.