Florida, which is experiencing surging cases of COVID-19, will be closing state-run testing facilities from Friday through Tuesday because of an approaching storm system.
The system, which is forecast to become Tropical Storm Isaias in the coming hours, has a predicted path that goes right through the state. The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced the testing closures in a Wednesday email to test site managers. The pause in testing will begin at the close of business on Thursday, WCTV reported.
“We expect most sites can reopen Wednesday, pending any damage and vendor timelines,” the email read.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s most recent update, the storm is anticipated to make landfall somewhere along Florida’s southern coast on Saturday before making its way straight up the middle of the coronavirus-stricken state. The system is currently expected to remain a tropical storm and not strengthen into a more powerful hurricane.
Here are the 5 PM AST Wednesday, July 29 Key Messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. The full forecast can be found at https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb. pic.twitter.com/S7DskacfiE
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 29, 2020
Tropical systems in the Atlantic basin are named in alphabetical order, and this year’s Atlantic hurricane season has been off to an active start, with Tropical Storm Gonzalo breaking a record for earliest “G” storm in the history. Two named storms developed prior to the start of the 2020 season, and Tropical Storm Cristobal, which formed on the second day of season, became the earliest third named storm over the Atlantic Ocean.
The incoming storm presents a challenge to Florida, which has made headlines across the globe for its surging levels of COVID-19. The state has had more than 450,000 confirmed cases of the virus and at least 6,332 deaths.
We are closely monitoring a tropical system with @FLSERT. Forecasts are predicting heavy rainfall and strong winds will impact Florida beginning Saturday through early next week. Floridians should prepare now by having at least 7 days of disaster supplies. pic.twitter.com/vGE6kBg9x5
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 29, 2020
