TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — According to the most recent White House COVID-19 report, Florida is in the red zone for cases, indicating 101 or more new cases per 100,000 population, with the 27th highest rate in the country. Florida is in the red zone for test positivity, indicating a rate at or above 10.1%, with the 27th highest rate in the country.
Florida has seen an increase in new cases despite a significant decrease in tests performed, an increase in test positivity, and rapidly rising hospitalizations. Florida is in full pandemic resurgence and must increase mitigation, along with an active COVID vaccination program, to decrease community spread and save lives.
The following three counties had the highest number of new cases over the last 3 weeks: 1. Miami-Dade County, 2. Broward County, and 3. Orange County. These counties represent 36.2 percent of new cases in Florida.
All 67 counties in Florida have moderate or high levels of community transmission (yellow, orange, or red zones), with 87 percent having high levels of community transmission (red zone).
During the week of Dec 21 - Dec 27, 29 percent of nursing homes had at least one new resident COVID-19 case, 50 percent had at least one new staff COVID-19 case, and sic percent had at least one new resident COVID-19 death.
Florida had 353 new cases per 100,000 population, compared to a national average of 413 per 100,000.
Current staff deployed from the federal government as assets to support the state response are: 1 to support epidemiology activities from CDC; 58 to support operations activities from USCG; and 30 to support medical activities from VA.
Between Dec 26 - Jan 1, on average, 967 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 321 patients with suspected COVID-19 were reported as newly admitted each day to hospitals in Florida. This is an increase of 13 percent in total new COVID-19 hospital admissions.
As of Jan 2, 801,150 vaccine doses have been distributed to Florida and 246,587 individuals have received the first dose.
Specific, detailed guidance on community mitigation measures can be found on the CDC website, by clicking here.
