Hernando commissioners extend emergency declaration

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The Hernando County Executive Policy Group on Thursday voted to continue the local state of emergency it declared last week for another seven days. The group set a standing meeting for upcoming Thursdays to be ready to renew the order, if needed.

"I recommend we extend another seven days, because for the county it provides us again the mechanism to get the resources necessary for our first-responders and our community itself,'' said County Administrator Jeff Rogers.

Robin Napier, director of the county health department, said that Hernando County hospitals are doing okay with needed supplies, but she did not have information on their current capacities.

Brooksville Mayor Joe Bernardini asked to have that information at future meetings, as the group might have to decide whether to enact more stringent community rules if hospitals become over-stretched. Hernando County has ordered no restrictions on residents or businesses beyond those set by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In addition to county office closures, and changes in services and meeting schedules, Hernando County has now postponed all land-use hearings scheduled for the April 14 County Commission meeting. The commission meeting is still scheduled to take place that day.

Hernando County was reporting nine cases of coronavirus as of Thursday afternoon. The most recent case was a 33-year-old woman who had contact with another confirmed case. Four of Hernando County’s cases are related to travelers, Napier said.

The state Department of Health website reported no coronavirus hospitalizations or deaths in Hernando County as of that time.

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