Most of South Florida is a “medium” risk of covid transmission according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control …
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Most of South Florida is at “medium” risk of covid transmission according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control report for the week of Dec. 21-27. The CDC updates the county level data every Thursday.
Okeechobee, Hendry, Glades, Martin, Highlands and West Palm Beach counties are all at “medium” risk.
Miami-Dade County is at “high” risk. Counties along the upper east coast are at “low” risk.
The CDC calculates risk based on the number of new cases, the number of deaths, the new positivity rate (percentage of people tested who were positive), the number of covid-related hospital admissions and the availability of ICU beds. The CDC notes the actual positivity rate could be different because many people now test at home and the CDC data does not include the home tests.
For the week of Dec. 21-27:
• Okeechobee County had 21 new cases out of 249 people tested. According to the CDC, 55.8% of Okeechobee County residents over age 5 have been vaccinated; 95% of Okeechobee County residents over the age of 65 have been vaccinated. According to the report, 4% of hospital inpatient beds in use were by patients with confirmed COVID-19.
• Hendry County had 16 new positive cases for the week out of 181 people tested. According to the CDC, 68.7% of the population over age 5 has been vaccinated, with 95% of residents over age 65 vaccinated. According to the report, 3.8% of hospital inpatient hospital beds were in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19.
• Glades County had 3 new positive cases for the week out of 17 people tested. In Glades County, 42% of the population over age 5 has been vaccinated and 52.4% of the population over age 65 has been vaccinated. Glades County does not have a hospital.
• Palm Beach County had 1,954 new cases out of 9,921 people tested for the week. Palm Beach County has 79.5% of the population over the age of 5 vaccinated, and 95% of the population over the age of 65 vaccinated. According to the report, Palm Beach County hospitals had 168 new covid admissions for the week and 4% of inpatient hospital beds were in use by covid-positive patients.
• Martin County had 168 new covid positive cases for the week with 971 people tested. In Martin County, 79% of the population over age 5 has been vaccinated, with 95% of the population over age 65 vaccinated. Martin County hospitals had 18 new covid-related admissions for the week and 4% of inpatient hospital beds in use were occupied by patients with confirmed COVID-19.
• Highlands County had 109 new cases out of 377 people tested. In Highlands County, 69.5% of the population over age 5 has been vaccinated, and 94.6% of the population over age 65 has been vaccinated. Highlands County hospitals had 13 new covid-positive admissions for the week and 3.5% of inpatient beds were in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 has resulted in the deaths of 1,088,481 people in the United States since the start of the pandemic.
During the week of Dec. 21-27, Florida reported 309 deaths related to COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Florida has reported 83,906 covid-related deaths.
The CDC website explains:
"COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch.
"Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms."
To protect yourself against COVID-19, the CDC advises:
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters;
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly ;
• Improve ventilation in your home or workplace;
• Get tested if you suspect you may have COVID-19;
• Stay home if you are sick;
• Stay home if you suspect you might have COVID-19;
• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19;
• Consult your doctor about other precautions, such as wearing a mask, which might be appropriate for you, based on your individual health history.