MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – South Florida medical professionals urge the public to observe patterns of social estrangement as hospitals report that local intensive care units are at their capacity and leaders take additional steps in an attempt to curb the COVID-19 spread.
Dr. Bernard Ashby said frontline workers are dealing with a crisis that shows no end in sight.
“We are in the eye of a hurricane right now. We need to treat this as a disaster response at the FEMA level, ”he said.
But Ashby, a Miami-based cardiologist, said the response is not happening.
“Hospitals are overwhelmed right now. ICUs are beyond capacity. My hospital, in particular, is full, ”he said. “We are making unsystematic approaches to try to reduce virus transmission, but it is not enough.”
Ashby’s warning comes as Miami Beach prepares to impose a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the city’s entertainment district for the second night, all in an effort by local leaders to try to control the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
7News cameras captured Miami Beach police officers in pushcarts Sunday night as they cleared Ocean Drive and informed passers-by that they had to go elsewhere.
Viewers who spoke to 7News said they understand why the city is tightening the restrictions.
“It is what it is. I mean, we can’t be mad,” said one man.
“No one acts like this is the epicenter of COVID. I guess it makes sense, ”said one woman.
“I do not care. I think it’s a smart move, ”said a woman wearing a face mask.
“It is not ideal,” said another woman.
The cameras captured a mix of masked and unmasked people strolling down Don Ocean Drive on Sunday afternoon.
Just after 10 p.m., Fifth Street and Ocean Drive were nearly empty.
Some people who were seen passing the curfew said that no one can tell them they can’t get out, while others said the coronavirus is not real. For the most part, people stayed away from the iconic street.
“We needed to have things under control, and we are doing it for everyone’s health, for everyone’s safety,” said Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodríguez.
“Really, I think, we tried to take steps that we hoped would work, but I’m not sure they will, and we’re looking at the data very carefully,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.
An 11 pm curfew took effect in Broward County on Friday night.
In the past 24 hours, Florida health officials reported 12,478 new COVID-19 infections. Of those cases, 3,212 are in Miami-Dade County, 1,150 in Broward and 49 in Monroe.
The total number of reported cases of COVID-19 in the state is 350,047. Of those cases, 84,238 are in Miami-Dade County, 39,281 are in Broward and 859 are in Monroe.
Miami City Mayor Francis Suarez said it is time for a general rule of masks in public.
“We have been urging, and I have been urging the President, and even urging the Governor, to issue a public mask order for the state and the nation,” he said. “There is a segment of our population, of our city, that will only listen to them, and I think it is important that they lead.”
Few facial masks were on display in Hollywood Beach on Sunday afternoon. It was found that some visitors to the beach did not practice social distancing.
Opinions varied between beach lovers and passersby.
“I think there are a lot of discrepancies when it comes to coronaviruses,” said one woman.
“While we are outside, the air is a nice breeze, I don’t think there will be any harm,” said a man wearing a face mask.
“I think everyone should keep their masks on, listen to our people, listen to each other. Unity begins with you, ”said one man.
Officers will continue to write citations for curfew violators, and leaders will continue to urge social distancing and wearing masks.
“So that we can control these fires, so that people can get on with their lives and not worry about literally dying,” Ashby said.
Miami-Dade County officials have created a website, called the Community Empowerment Page, which aims to track neighborhoods and areas experiencing increases in coronavirus cases. They urge anyone in the county who has tested positive to visit the website.
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