Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Phase I: Safe. Smart. Step‐by‐Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery Executive Order, Baptist
Health Care will resume elective surgeries beginning May 4. With a continued diligent watch over COVID‐19
developments, Baptist is reopening these services in a phased and structured approach to ensure the highest level
of safety and care. Baptist will continue to adhere to state and federal requirements regarding patient care and will
continue to implement all CDC guidance and protocols to ensure the safety of those we serve, our team members,
and the community. Baptist will continue to implement social distancing, universal masking and screening of all
patients and visitors. Physician offices are reaching out directly to patients whose procedures were postponed due
to the order to suspend services that was issued in March. Patients visiting a Baptist facility are encouraged to bring
and wear masks. Our teams look forward to welcoming back patients into our care and will take every precaution
to ensure safety.
COVID‐19 Symptom Update
People with COVID‐19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe
illness. Symptoms may appear 2‐14 days after exposure to the virus. The CDC has updated its list of symptoms,
adding six new possible indicators. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID‐
19:
* Cough
* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of these symptoms:
* Fever
* Chills
* Repeated shaking with chills
* Muscle pain
* Headache
* Sore throat
* New loss of taste or smell
