Coronavirus -- What You Need to Know and Useful Resources

If you are a Floridian concerned that you or a family member may have contracted COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, contact your personal health care provider and County Health Department (locate your local department here). To reach the Florida Department of Health’s 24-7 coronavirus call center, contact (866) 779-6121 or COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

General Information

As policymakers work to provide legislative solutions to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the best thing Floridians can do is take individual action to reduce transmission. People should take the following precautions to avoid becoming ill and transmitting the virus:

  • Practice social distancing. Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, and steer clear of bars, restaurants, and other areas where large numbers of people congregate.
  • Avoid physical contact with all people -- healthy or sick -- and consider alternatives like elbow bumps to handshakes and other common physical interactions.
  • Especially avoid contact with people who have tested positive for coronavirus or are otherwise sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or face.
  • Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds repeatedly throughout the day, especially after coughing or sneezing and after outings in public. If soap and water aren’t readily available, use a hand sanitizer made of at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • When coughing or sneezing, cover up by doing so into a tissue or your arm.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched on a regular basis, such as phones, keyboards and laptops, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and sinks.
  • If you yourself feel even mildly sick, stay home if possible. 
  • If you have traveled recently and are experiencing a fever and/or other common symptoms of coronavirus (such as shortness of breath or a dry cough), call your health care provider and local County Health Department.
  • Even if you feel fine, remember that you can spread coronavirus without symptoms. To protect our more vulnerable populations, changing your behavior to reduce transmission rates is key. 

A more in-depth guide to the coronavirus outbreak, what to expect, and how to reduce its spread is available here. 

A video further outlining what you need to know about coronavirus can also be found here.

Useful Resources

Timeline of Coronavirus Legislative Actions

A timeline of Senator Rubio’s legislative work to combat the coronavirus outbreak is available here.

Guidance for U.S. Citizens Abroad – COVID-19