COVID-19 cases in Brevard County increase over Thanksgiving holiday
In the latest sign that COVID-19 is still a potential threat to Brevard County residents, novel coronavirus cases increased over the Thanksgiving holiday, marking the first time in weeks that cases rose, data released by the Florida Department of Health Tuesday showed.
According to the FDOH figures, there were 43 cases per 100,000 in Brevard County over the six days between Nov. 19 and Nov. 25, an increase of 5.9 cases per 100,000 since the week prior. The Space Coast's new case positivity rate went from 2.4% the week prior to 2.9% between Nov. 19 and Nov. 25.
A community of moderate transmission is one where there are between 10 and 50 cases per 100,000 people and the case positivity rate is between 5% and 8%, according to the CDC. To be a community of low transmission, Brevard County would need to have a new case positivity rate below 5% and have less than 10 cases per 100,000.
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The COVID-19 case positivity rate and cases per 100,000 are the two measures used to evaluate how much the virus is spreading in a community.
Between Nov. 13 and Nov. 20, there were seven COVID-19 related deaths in Brevard County, according to data released by the CDC. The Space Coast has had a total of 1,703 COVID-19 related deaths since Jan. 2020.
Despite the increase in cases on the Space Coast, and continued COVID-19 related deaths, the vaccination rate experienced no change since the week prior, according to FDOH data. Currently, only 65% of the eligible population — those five years of age and older — has been vaccinated.
According to FDOH, of the eligible population in Florida, age group vaccination rates across the state are:
Ages 5-11, 8% vaccinated
Ages 12-19, 57%vaccinated.
Ages 20-29, 57% vaccinated.
Ages 30-39, 67% vaccinated.
Ages 40-49, 75% vaccinated.
Ages 50-59, 80% vaccinated.
Ages 60-64, 86% vaccinated.
Ages 65+, 89% vaccinated.
About 12% Floridians have received an additional dose as of Nov. 25.
Statewide, there were 44 cases per 100,000 and a new case positivity rate of 2.4% between Nov.19 and Nov.25.
There were 467 COVID-19 related deaths in Florida between Nov.19 and Nov.25. Since the start of the pandemic, Florida has had a total of 61,548 COVID-19 related deaths.
Nationwide, only 59.4% of the eligible population is vaccinated, according to CDC data. As of Nov.30, there have been a total of 48,377,531 cases and 778,489 COVID-19 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Where to get the monoclonal antibody treatment:
Brevard County is providing Monoclonal Antibody treatment for free at the following location:
Kiwanis Island Park Gymnasium, 951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where to get vaccinated:
Florida Department of Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines at three sites:
Melbourne clinic, 601 E. University Blvd., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Those ages 5-11 can only get vaccinated from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
Titusville clinic, 611 N. Singleton Ave., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Those ages 5-11 can only get vaccinated from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
Viera clinic, 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Those ages 5-11 can only get vaccinated from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
COVID-19 vaccines also are available at pharmacies at various local CVS, Publix, Sam’s Club, Walgreens, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores, as well as some urgent-care centers and physician offices.
The website www.211Brevard.org has a list of medical facilities and businesses offering vaccines. Some of those sites require reservations, while others allow walk-ins.
Amira Sweilem is the data reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Sweilem at 386-406-5648 or asweilem@floridatoday.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: COVID-19 cases in Brevard County increase for first time in weeks
