9 in 10 Floridians at ‘high’ risk of COVID as hospitalizations rise

Ian Hodgson, Tampa Bay Times
·3 min read
66

  • Florida’s COVID-19 infection rate evened out last week, but hospitalizations kept rising. The state recorded 10,618 cases per day, on average, during the week of June 11-17. That’s essentially unchanged from last week. But Florida hospitals had 3,212 confirmed COVID-19 cases Friday, a 13% jump from the week before. Elevated infection and hospitalization rates mean that 92% of Floridians now live in “high risk” counties, according to federal data released Thursday.

  • The state’s pandemic response made headlines this past week when White House officials said Florida was the only state in the union not to preorder COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 4 and under. Biden administration officials said the decision could delay doses for Florida’s youngest children, who rely on medical providers instead of retail pharmacies. Federal health officials approved the child-sized doses from Pfizer and Moderna on Friday. Doses could be available in some states this week following the unanimous recommendation Saturday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisers to approve the kids vaccine. That is pending a final signoff by CDC director Dr. Rochelle ­Walensky.

  • Omicron appears to cause fewer cases of long COVID than the delta variant in vaccinated adults, according to a study published in The Lancet. Approximately 4.5% of vaccinated adults developed long COVID-19 symptoms after an omicron infection, compared to nearly 11% who were infected with the delta strain, according to London researchers. CDC research, released in May, suggests that more than 20% of U.S. adults have a long-term health condition related to a previous COVID-19 infection.

Overall numbers

74,323: Number of cases reported in Florida over the most recent seven-day period from June 11-17.

10,618: Average cases a day during that time period last week, essentially even with the week before.

6,345,661: Total number of cases recorded in Florida.

237: Number of deaths reported in the past week.

75,089: Total pandemic deaths in Florida.

Vaccinations

34,615: Vaccinations (first or second doses) administered in the past week, down 14% compared to the previous week.

80%: Total Florida population that is at least partially vaccinated.

67%: Total Florida population that is fully vaccinated.

78%: Total U.S. population that is at least partially vaccinated.

67%: Tota.3l U.S. population that is fully vaccinated.

25,963: Booster doses administered in Florida in the last week, down 11% compared to the prior week.

27%: Total Florida population that is boosted.

31%: Total U.S. population that is boosted.

Positivity rates

20.2%: Florida, compared to 21.4% the previous week.

22.1%: Citrus

22%: Manatee

21.6%: Hernando

19%: Pasco

18.8%: Polk

18.7%: Pinellas

18.3%: Hillsborough

Hospitalizations

3,212: Florida hospitalizations, a 13% increase compared to the prior week.

942: Tampa Bay admissions, a 22% increase compared to the prior week.

Local cases

14,206: Cases in Tampa Bay.

1,148,982: Total cases in Tampa Bay to date.

63: Deaths in Tampa Bay.

15,729: Total deaths in Tampa Bay.

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How to get tested

Florida: The Department of Health has a list of test sites.

The nation: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can help you find a testing site.

• • •

How to get vaccinated

The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered at clinics, doctors’ offices, public health offices and retail pharmacies. Here’s how to find a site near you:

Find a site: Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites in your ZIP code.

More help: Call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline.

Phone: 800-232-0233. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.

TTY: 888-720-7489

Disability Information and Access Line: Call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org.

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More coronavirus coverage

SYMPTOMS: Think you might have COVID-19? Here’s a guide to symptoms and treatments.

CHILDREN: Babies and toddlers can now get vaccinated. Here are the answers to your questions.

WARNING: How the CDC’s COVID-19 warning system fails Tampa Bay and Florida.

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