ORLANDO, Fla. — For some time, the world watched COVID-19 spread from country to country — now Americans are watching the virus spread state-to-state.

New York, Michigan, and elsewhere are becoming canaries of sorts, offering insight and warnings to other states.

At least twice a day, the Florida Department of Health posts updated numbers related to COVID-19 coronavirus cases, and each update often shows increasing number of positive cases and at times increasing deaths.

“When I see those numbers, the number of those infected, the number passing away, it scares us a little bit, because we know sooner or later it’s going to come down here,” said Dr. Joshua Stephany, Chief Medical Examiner for Orange and Osceola counties. “We’re trying to prepare for it and get ahead of it.”

A medical examiner wouldn’t usually be involved in a person’s death related to natural causes, but Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order, declaring a public health emergency, gave medical examiners jurisdiction over COVID-19 related deaths.

Dr. Stephany’s office has handled at least eight deaths in Orange and Osceola counties, although not all are counted here. By the Department of Health’s count, there are five deaths in Orange County and two deaths in Osceola County related to COVID-19.

“The way the medical examiner does it, we certify it based on where someone passed away,” Stephany said.

Departments of health nationally count COVID-19 cases based on a person’s residence.

Of the eight COVID-19 deaths Stephany certified, four were Orange County residents, and one was an Osceola County resident. Others were from out-of-state, such as New Jersey, where that person’s death will officially be counted.

Likewise, one of the five deaths listed for Orange County involved a resident who died in California after traveling to the Philippines and South Korea but had not returned home. That person’s death is listed as Orange County, Florida, since they lived here.

Stephany says his office has made a series of changes as good practice. Foreseeing critical resources like gloves and masks would be in short supply, they made orders early to be equipped. Staffing is now staggered. They’ve also reduced the number of employees who may interact with people at a scene in an effort to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19.

“Worst case scenario for us: What if I or one of my staff is infected and spread to the rest of the staff?” Dr. Stephany said.

He carries a heavy concern for his staff’s health, as well as the caseload they may have to bear in the future.

“We wanted to be ready for that wave of infections and possible wave of deaths,” Stephany said.

He said his office is working regionally with other agencies to determine a possible site to park refrigerator trucks should his, or other medical examiner offices, become overwhelmed.

The Medical Examiner’s office on Michigan Avenue in Orlando has capacity for 150 remains.

“I’d rather overreact and save some lives than not take it seriously,” Dr. Stephany said.

COVID-19 Deaths in Florida

  • March 18: 7
  • March 19: 9
  • March 20: 10
  • March 21: 12
  • March 22: 13
  • March 23: 17
  • March 24: 20
  • March 25: 23
  • March 26: 28
  • March 27: 34
  • March 28: 56
  • March 29: 59
  • March 30: 71
  • March 31: 85
  • April 1: 101
  • April 2: 128

Deaths in Florida by county

As of 5 p.m. April 2, 2020

  • Broward  17
  • Citrus 2
  • Clay 6
  • Collier 1
  • Desoto 1
  • Duval 7
  • Flagler 1
  • Glades 1
  • Highlands 1
  • Hillsborough 5
  • Lake 2
  • Lee 10
  • Manatee 3
  • Miami 19
  • Okaloosa 1
  • Orange 5
  • Osceola 2
  • Palm Beach 22
  • Pasco 2
  • Pinellas 6
  • Polk 2
  • Santa Rosa 2
  • Sarasota 5
  • St. Johns 2
  • St. Lucie 2
  • Volusia 1