COVID-19 hospitalizations on the Space Coast up from a month ago, following statewide trend

Since Thanksgiving, the Space Coast has seen COVID-19 numbers peak higher than they were about a month ago, according to national health data.

Between Dec. 1 and Dec. 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 364 COVID-19 infections in Brevard County, with a positivity rate of 10.28%. A month earlier, between Nov. 3 and Nov. 9, that number was reported at 293, with a positivity rate of 6.86%. With the most recent data, the CDC estimated the case rate at 60.47 per 100,000 population. In early November, the agency estimated that number to be 48.68 per 100,000.

Hospitalizations are also up from a month ago. Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, there were 26 hospital admissions in the county because of COVID-19. Between Nov. 2 and Nov. 8, there were 19 hospitalizations attributable to the virus.

Though cases and hospitalizations have increased, deaths for early December remain at approximately the same level as early November. Data from Dec. 1 through Dec. 7 shows there were fewer than 10 deaths due to COVID-19, with data from Nov. 3 through Nov. 9 saying the same thing. Neither data set from the CDC specified the exact number of deaths for either time period.

Additionally, the Space Coast is still considered a community of low COVID-19 community levels. This status is calculated by the CDC through hospitalizations and case rates. However, it’s important to note that the CDC’s statistics do not reflect all cases, as at-home tests are not reported to the agency, and not everyone with symptoms takes a test.

The uptick in cases follows a statewide trend that began after Thanksgiving, The Palm Beach Post reported. As of Dec. 2, there were 1,330 COVID-positive patients hospitalized statewide, as compared to the approximately 1,100 patients during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, there have been 2,243 deaths from COVID in Brevard. Nationwide, there have been 99,241,649 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,080,472 deaths from the illness since March 2020.

The CDC reported 69.9% of people ages 5 and older have been vaccinated against COVID in Brevard, while nationwide, 77.1% Americans ages 5 and older have received the vaccine throughout the country. This statistic drops to 13.5% nationwide when looking at those 5 and older who have received the updated bivalent booster shot.

Though the bivalent booster was created for the BA.5 omicron variant, which is no longer the dominant COVID-19 strain, experts believe the booster may be somewhat effective against the newer strains. Pfizer announced Nov. 18 that its booster may help protect against newer variants, saying the booster created antibodies that, in addition to the BA.5 omicron strain, target four additional subtypes of the omicron variant.

Where to get vaccinated

Brevard residents can get vaccinated at any of the vaccination sites run by the Florida Department of Health.

• Viera clinic, at 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way

• Melbourne clinic, 601 E. University Blvd.

• Titusville clinic, 611 N. Singleton Ave.

Vaccines are also available at Omni Healthcare’s offices, as well as at its walk-in vaccination clinic located in Suite 303 on the third floor of 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. in Melbourne, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Brevard residents can also get vaccinated from 9 a.m. to noon in Suite 2C of Omni’s 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. complex.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: COVID-19 hospitalizations up in Brevard following Thanksgiving, following state trends