Despite increase in percent positivity rate, Brevard County considered community of low COVID-19 transmission
COVID-19 deaths and cases dropped throughout Brevard over the past week, making the Space Coast a community of low transmission, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Provisional data released by the CDC shows that from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17, there were 14 COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the Space Coast death toll up to 2,131 deaths since the start of the pandemic. All the data is provisional and can change.
The prior week, Aug. 5 to Aug. 11, there were 14 COVID-related deaths in Brevard.
From Aug. 11 to Aug. 17, there were 180.58 cases per 100,000 population in Brevard County, which means there were 1,087 total cases during this time.
The percent positivity rate increased slightly, going from 19.2% as reported by the Florida Department of Health last week to 23.82% this week according to CDC data.
Because at-home test kit results aren't reported and not everyone who is symptomatic takes a COVID-19 test, there could be far more infections in the community.
Last week's numbers: COVID-19 cases on the Space Coast follow statewide trend of falling numbers
COVID restrictions in Brevard schools: School starts for Brevard students with lifted COVID-19 restrictions, staffing shortages
Do I still need to wear a mask?: What the new CDC COVID mask guidance means for Florida
Brevard County is a community of low COVID-19 transmission. Transmission levels are calculated by the CDC through a combination of hospitalizations and case rates.
From Aug. 10 to Aug. 16, there were 55 new COVID-19 hospitalizations. The CDC’s analysis of the data shows that there was about a 34.60% decrease in new hospitalizations since the previous reporting period.
Only 65.8% of people on the Space Coast have been fully vaccinated. Nationally, 67.4% of Americans have been fully vaccinated. There have been 93,124,238 COVID-19 cases and 1,034,118 deaths nationwide since the start of the pandemic.
Where to get vaccinated
The Florida Department of Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines at three sites.
Viera clinic, at 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way.
Melbourne clinic, 601 E. University Blvd.
Titusville clinic, 611 N. Singleton Ave.
Residents also can get vaccinated 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. Vaccinations also are available 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
Support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard now a community of low transmission for COVID-19, CDC says
