Week of Wednesday, July 26, 2023 n Page 2 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter
DOH-Lee issues blue-green algae bloom alert On July 11, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the Caloosahatchee RiverHorton Park and McGregor Colonial Park. It was in response to water samples taken on July 13. The public should exercise caution in and around the identified areas. It advised the public to take the following precautions: ∫ Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom. ∫ Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water. ∫ Avoid getting affected water in your eyes, nose or mouth. ∫ Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present. ∫ Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins. ∫ Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well. ∫ Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms. Also, the DOH-Lee lifted the health alerts issued
between June 23-29 for the presence of harmful bluegreen algal toxins in the Caloosahatchee River-Fort Myers Shores, Caloosahatchee River-end of Coon Road, Hancock Creek-Moody Ramp and Caloosahatchee-north of Loftons Island. Follow-up water samples taken by the Department of Environmental Protection did not detect algal toxins, indicating the public may resume waterrelated activities.
health/aquatic-toxins. Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov. Protecting Florida Together is the state’s joint effort to provide statewide water quality information to prioritize environmental transparency and commitment to action.
What is blue-green algae?
What do I do if I see an algal bloom?
Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors. Some environmental factors that contribute to bluegreen algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To report a bloom to the DEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-3053903 or report online at http://www.surveygizmo.com /s3/3444948/Algal-Bloom-Reporting-Form. To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511. Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center; call 800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately. Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with bluegreen algae contaminated water. If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, call the DOH-Lee at 239-6902100.
Is it harmful? Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals. For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit floridahealth.gov/environmental-
Back to School Sales Tax Holiday starts The state of Florida reported that consumers can purchase qualifying back-toschool supplies exempt from tax during the 2023 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, which will run now through Aug. 6. Items exempt from sales tax include: ∫ Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles
selling for $30 or less ∫ Most school supplies selling for $50 or less ∫ Clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $100 or less ∫ Computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal
use) The holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, it does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment com-
plex, public lodging establishment or airport. For more information, visit https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool.
Lee Health unveils hospital’s weapon detection system By CHUCK BALLARO
news@breezenewspapers.com
An unknown man walked into the emergency room on July 11 at Lee Memorial Hospital, when he realized he had something that could be a weapon. He immediately took it out and brought the object back to his car before returning. Had he tried to go through, the hospital’s new weapon detection system installed on July 10 would have let him know about it. On July 11, Lee Health held a media event outside the emergency room to announce the installation of the Evolv Weapons Detection System, which will increase security and keep the community safe. Gloria Graham, system manager for emergency departments, said they chose the hospital because of logistics and because Lee Memorial is the smallest of all emergency rooms. “The system is the most minimally intrusive to our patients and visitors. They required the least amount of slowing down, which is important in an emergency room,” she said. “They’re entering a healing environment, so they can get the help and treatment they need.” The system, which was decided upon after a year of planning, will use artificial intelligence-based weapons detection security to detect weapons, with Lee Health being the first hospital system in Southwest Florida to use it and Lee Memorial Hospital the first at Lee Health to install it. This means that the hospital does not have to do what TSA does and go through your belongings if they find something unusual. Ultimately, the goal is to make sure
everyone who is healing there, visiting there or working there to be as safe as possible. “Emergency departments are dynamic places. We have paid attention to the trends and realized this was an added layer of security to invest in. The leadership of Lee Health was very supportive,” Graham said, adding that she does not recall anybody bringing in a weapon with the intent to do harm. She also said that nobody entered the healing environment with a weapon. However, there were two who walked up to the door with something that could be construed as one, saw the sign, and went back to their vehicle and secured the weapon there. The system can screen up to 3,600 people in an hour with its AI built into the system, while the hospital takes in about 100 patients per day. The AI alerts the officer about the item, so the officer can see if it is a laptop. The system learns what may or may not be a danger. The system highlights where the alert was, as opposed to just signaling an alert. The system detected a couple items on its first day of use, including a pocketknife, which was put back in the vehicle. Katie Egan, media relations specialist at Lee Health, also demonstrated the system by holding a fake gun in her hand as she went through security. The alarm did not go crazy, but it quietly alerted the officer of a potential issue on the computer screen. The systems will soon be installed in all the Lee Health emergency rooms. With Gulf Coast Hospital being next and Cape Coral Hospital after that. Cape’s system should be installed early in the fall.