Cases are down, but in one county, doctors still want masks
Welcome to today's edition of the Florida Coronavirus Watch Newsletter. Let's get you up to speed with the latest news of the day from the USA TODAY Network-Florida.
Florida COVID-19 data
The USA TODAY Network-Florida has updated the way we share Florida's weekly data on COVID-19. We'll share these numbers every Monday. Please share any feedback about this data here. These numbers are as of Monday morning.
In the past week, COVID-19 cases in Florida were at a level the CDC says means moderate community transmission. A Sun., March 13 report said the state had 1,613 COVID-19 patients in hospital beds, down from 2,001 a week earlier. Here's a look at some other numbers you should know:
Florida
Residents with at least one dose of vaccine: 78.3%, or 16,823,271
Coronavirus cases reported: 10,211 in the latest week; 13,823 in the previous week; 5,868,263 in the pandemic.
COVID-19 deaths reported: 863 in the latest week; 1,207 in the previous week; 71,860 in the pandemic.
Sources: USA TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data (cases and deaths); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (vaccines); U.S. Health and Human Services (hospitalizations)
Here's what's happening around Florida
Overall numbers statewide continue on the decline. Spring break is here and while the state continues to see a downward trend in cases, it did move up five spots among states where coronavirus spreads the fastest.
COVID was especially tough on Florida hospitals, and the strain continues. Federal data shows 67% of Floridians live in places where COVID-19 poses a low threat to hospitals, as opposed to 83 percent nationwide.
About 30% of Floridians live in medium-impact areas, and about 2% live in 10 high-risk counties. The high-risk counties seem to be concentrated in the north-central part of the state.
Are we about to see another surge? Several European countries are beginning to see a rise in cases once more, and that is fueling concern among experts here.
The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Italy were among those that saw an upswing in cases this past week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
At least one Florida county's medical facilities still insist on masks. Despite hearing from Gov. Ron DeSantis and his surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, that mask-wearing is seen as not worth doing anymore, medical facilities around Polk County still insist that masks be worn.
"As a health-care facility, we'll probably be one of the last groupings to take off our masks, just because our number one commitment is to patient safety," said Lakeland Regional Health's chief operating officer. The Ledger has more on this story.
Today's fact check
No new COVID fact check for today. The USA Today fact-checkers are busy keeping up with the flood of Russia-Ukraine social media posts, videos and photos.
COVID info to know
COVID-19 will be an issue for a long time to come, and we think more education is better. Here's what you need to know.
ABOUT COVID
Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster shots: Things to know
This story is free for everyone: Compare the spread of COVID-19 in your area
AVOIDING COVID
Why N95, KN95 masks are so much more effective against omicron than cloth
Are N95 and KN95 masks reusable and how should you store them?
Can you avoid COVID if a member in your household has it? Ways to decrease your risk
Do I still need to wear a mask? What the new CDC COVID mask guidance means for Florida
TESTING
Is it the flu, a cold, or COVID-19? How to know, and when to get tested
COVID test kits: The difference between at-home tests, over-the-counter rapid tests, and PCR tests
DO YOU HAVE COVID?
Were you exposed to coronavirus? Did you test positive? If so, here's what to do next
Long COVID: Why aren't my symptoms going away? Why did they come back? Am I a long-hauler?
What you should know about COVID-19 oral medications and where they'll be available in Florida
We've received a lot of feedback lately asking for more info on COVID case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths. Every Monday, the USA TODAY Network-Florida publishes articles with latest stats from the Florida Department of Health. How did we do this week? (we ranked No. 37 on a list where the virus spreads the fastest. Details above.) For these stats, check your inbox on Monday for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter.
And if you have any questions about COVID, drop us a line here.
Thank you for reading! We appreciate you trusting our statewide journalists to keep you safe and informed. If you are encouraged by our work and want to support your local journalists, please consider subscribing. Know someone who would benefit from this newsletter? Forward this email so they can sign up.
Jonathan's note of the day: Sorry if it seems like I'm dragging, but the combination of Daylight Saving Time and March Madness on the same day packs quite a wallop. Yep, I do often wonder why we still do this (Daylight Saving Time, not March Madness), and so do our politicians. But I'm glad March Madness is upon us, and it may be worth the drag to try and get an edge on my brackets.
(If you're interested in trying to show your edge with brackets, USA TODAY has a contest for you! And if you aren't quite sure about brackets, C.A. Bridges knows your pain and can help.)
Here's what else is happening with the coronavirus in Florida today.
— Jonathan Tully, jtully@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cases are down, but in one county, doctors still want masks
