http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?smp=&lang=engArea: USA, State of Florida, Florida Hospital Heartland Division, Sebring
This morning's anthrax scare, which started at Florida Hospital Heartland Division, has spread to 11 other locations. Sun 'n Lake Town Hall was put under lockdown, shortly before 1 p.m., and hours after the Sebring hospital was also locked down for most of the day. Gloria Rybinski, public information coordinator with Highlands County, said eight envelopes containing a white powder were found in the Sun 'n Lake area and three outside of Sun 'n Lake. She did not specify where. A resident took one of those envelopes to the Sun 'n Lake town hall, which forced it to be closed down. The lockdown means that no one can enter or leave the building. Rybinski has asked those finding suspicious packages to not open them and call 911 immediately. Random residents were affected. Nearly 12 hours after a suspicious powder was found in envelopes on cars parked at Florida Hospital Heartland Division, the facility remains on lockdown. "We are treating it as if it is an anthrax case until it is proven otherwise," said Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton. More details on the anthrax scare at the Florida Hospital Heartland Division may be revealed at a press conference scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today. Lisa Burley, the sheriff's office chief of staff, said one person is undergoing decontamination. There is no traffic in or out of the hospital; and no one is being allowed to leave. Meanwhile, authorities are looking for an individual seen leaving the hospital's parking lot this morning.
Envelopes containing unknown white powder were found on the windshields of 20 to 30 employee vehicles. Notes in the envelopes contained an "inference" of anthrax, according to the sheriff's office. The white powder, which was found in the parking lot about 3:30 a.m., forced the hospital into lockdown. The substance has been taken to the State Department of Health lab on Fowler Avenue in Tampa. Results should be released later this afternoon. The results will determine the next step, she said, adding that no procedures or operations are being performed at the hospital. Families of patients in the hospital are being notified by hospital staff. Family members, patients and staff can call the Florida Hospital Sebring hot line at (863) 386-6380 for information. "The safety of our patients and employees are always our top concern," hospital spokeswoman Cathy Albritton said. "The hospital is locked down in an abundance of caution while this matter can be investigated. During this time, patients are being cared for by a well-staffed team of physicians, nurses and other healthcare personnel." County emergency personnel, including a hazardous material unit, were on scene, along with local FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials. Sarah Sweeney Krepski, who arrived at the hospital at about 11 p.m. last night, was discharged around 3 a.m. but, like everyone else at the hospital, has not been allowed to leave. "I am frustrated the one time I go to ER and get my knee deal with it, I walk into a damn anthrax scare," said Krepski. Krepski said she has observed emergency personnel in hazmat suits walking through the hospital. She said she was told by a nurse that the envelopes contained a note saying "beware of anthrax." Hospital staff, she said, are doing what they can to keep guests as comfortable as possible. The Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the situation, department spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said.
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