Despite falling case numbers, COVID-19 deaths increase in Brevard for first time in month
Despite falling COVID-19 case numbers, and although Brevard County remains a low-tranmission community, the number of deaths from the coronavirus on the Space Coast has increased for the first time in about a month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said Friday.
For the first time since the second week of September, deaths from COVID-19 increased in Brevard, the CDC said. The agency reported 13 deaths between Oct. 13 and Oct. 19. Two weeks ago, between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, there were fewer than 10 deaths, though the CDC did not provide an exact number.
Prior to this week, deaths had been falling since the second week of September, with the last increase occurring in the week between Sept. 7 and Sept. 13, when the CDC reported 14 deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, there have been 2,212 COVID-related deaths in Brevard.
Last week's COVID statistics: Falling cases, hospitalizations, keeps Space Coast community of low COVID-19 transmission
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Despite the increase in deaths, case numbers and hospitalizations are dropping.
The Florida Department of Health reported 252 new COVID cases between Oct. 14 and Oct. 20 in Brevard, with a new-case positivity rate of 7.5% and cases per 100,000 estimated at 40.2.
Two weeks ago, between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, the department reported 331 COVID cases, with a new-case positivity rate of 10.2% and cases per 100,000 estimated at 52.9.
Brevard County remained a community of low transmission, a status it has maintained for six weeks. This status is calculated by the CDC through local hospitalizations and case rates.
It’s important to note that because not everyone with symptoms tests and at-home tests are not counted by the Florida Department of Health or the CDC, there could be more cases in the community.
COVID hospitalizations, too, fell over the past two weeks, with the CDC reporting 19 new hospitalizations between Oct. 12 and Oct. 18. Two weeks ago, between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5, they reported 33 new hospitalizations from COVID-19.
The state Department of Health reported Friday that 68% of people 6 months and older have been fully vaccinated on the Space Coast.
Of the eligible population in Florida, group vaccination rates by age across the state are:
Ages 6 months-4 years, 2.8% vaccinated.
Ages 5-11, 25% vaccinated.
Ages 12-19, 64% vaccinated.
Ages 20-29, 66% vaccinated.
Ages 30-39, 73% vaccinated.
Ages 40-49, 80% vaccinated.
Ages 50-59, 84% vaccinated.
Ages 60-64, 88% vaccinated.
Ages 65+, 94% vaccinated.
Nationwide, 72.4% of Americans ages 5 and older have been fully vaccinated, though that number drops to 49.3% when looking at the percentage of those who have also gotten their first booster. There have been 97,063,357 cases since the start of the pandemic and 1,065,152 deaths in the United States.
Where to get vaccinated
Vaccines are available at three Florida Department of Health sites.
Viera clinic, at 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way.
Melbourne clinic, 601 E. University Blvd.
Titusville clinic, 611 N. Singleton Ave.
Brevard residents can also get vaccines 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. They can also get vaccinated from 9 a.m. to noon in Suite 2C of Omni’s 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. complex.
Finch Walker is a breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @_finchwalker
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: COVID cases in Brevard County fall, but deaths increase, CDC says
