AMO May membership meeting canceled as Florida state and local coronavirus infection rates remain above 5 percent

While the past 12 days have presented a downward trend from the 'spring break surge' of new coronavirus infections in the state of Florida, the daily positivity rate as of April 28 remained above 5 percent both statewide and in Broward County, where American Maritime Officers headquarters is located. As a result, the regularly scheduled AMO monthly membership meeting on May 3 has been canceled.

Under local restrictions in Broward County and in Dania Beach, gatherings of 10 or more are prohibited when the rate of new infection exceeds 5 percent.

Although coronavirus daily positivity rates have started to drop since periodically exceeding 8 percent during and after Florida's extensive 'spring break' earlier in the month, the statewide rate was reported at 5.73 percent as of April 28. For the same day, the Florida Department of Health, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, reported a positivity rate of 5.52 percent in Broward County, 5 percent in Palm Beach County to the north, and 5.5 percent in Miami-Dade County to the south.

As reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the state's coronavirus positivity rate has see-sawed so far this year, but remained above 5 percent since the start of fall. The rate in Broward County has hovered between 6 and 8 percent for most of the month of April.

While local restrictions prohibit gatherings of 10 or more under the present circumstances, our determination to minimize the potential of exposure for AMO members traveling to attend meetings in South Florida, and to prevent a coronavirus outbreak at STAR Center, where AMO members continue to participate in required training under heightened health and safety protocols, are powerful drivers in any such decision.

We are regularly monitoring state and local coronavirus and COVID-19 data and we look forward to resuming AMO monthly membership meetings at headquarters as soon local requirements and health and safety considerations will permit. Thank you for your patience.