The Florida Department of Health STEPS Public Health Approach: The COVID-19 Response Plan and Outcomes Through May 31, 2020
Scott A. Rivkees, Shamarial Roberson
Abstract
In January 2020, the Florida Department of Health began planning for a potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The first 2 cases of COVID-19 in Florida were confirmed on March 1, 2020. The state’s multiagency response to the COVID-19 pandemic was based on the Florida STEPS plan: (1) social distancing, (2) testing and contact tracing, (3) elderly and medically vulnerable population protection, (4) preparing hospitals for a patient surge and health care worker protection, and (5) stopping the introduction of COVID-19 into the state. This brief report describes COVID-19 response strategies and outcomes in Florida through May 31, 2020.
Topics & Concepts
Contact tracingPandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Public healthSocial distanceHealth departmentOutbreakMedicinePopulationHealth careSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakMedical emergencyEnvironmental healthGerontologyFamily medicineVirologyDiseaseNursingPolitical scienceInfectious disease (medical specialty)LawPathologyPublic Health Policies and Education