Florida reports 85,707 new cases from weekend
Florida reported 85,707 new COVID-19 cases from Saturday and Sunday as the number of patients hospitalized with the virus approached 6,000 for the first time since late September, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The state’s 7-day average for new cases has increased for 28 straight days, reaching 51,873 on Sunday, more than twice as high as any other point during the pandemic. Florida also increased its COVID-related death count by 61 over the weekend.
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Florida have risen 110% in a week, reaching 5,759 as of Sunday. Most were likely admitted for reasons other than the virus and tested positive in the hospital.
Positivity rates have also been climbing and CDC data shows that, as of Jan. 2, all of Florida’s 67 counties are considered at “high” risk of community transmission.
Orange County’s rate is 35%; Osceola’s is 34%; Seminole’s is 33%; and Lake’s is 26%. Public health experts say the virus is considered under control when the COVID19 test positivity rate is under 5%. No counties in Florida have positivity rates below that level. Glades County has the lowest rate with 6.7% and all other Florida counties are over 10%. Broward County’s positivity rate is the highest of any county on the state, nearly 40% as of Sunday.
In December, Florida climbed in the per-capita rankings for new cases over the past seven days. As of Sunday, Florida ranks fourth among states with a daily average of 201 cases per 100,000 population. COVID-related death reports have remained relatively low during the omicron surge, and Florida ranks second-to-last among other states with a 7-day average of 0.09 deaths a day per 100,000 population. Alaska has the lowest average daily death rate with 0.07 per 100,000 population.
As of Sunday, at least 4,308,534 Floridians have been infected by COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, and at least 62,541 have died.
Meanwhile, an average of 99,267 vaccinations are being administered per day in Florida as of Friday, the most recent data available from the CDC. About 63.4% of Floridians are fully vaccinated and 31.3% have received booster shots as of Friday.
more than 133,000 passengers would pass through the gates Monday, including 65,600 departing passengers.
Richter, the spokesperson for the travel advisors’ group, said international passengers need to understand entry requirements.
“Many travelers are working with their primary care physician to schedule testing. Many destinations will accept test results from at-home testing kits if there is a telehealth professional overseeing the process,” she said. “I would call ahead to any of the testing facilities you’re considering and check on turnaround time. Some same-day services do exist, but it may cost a premium.”
Richter also said travelers unable to get a test at the airport the day they are to depart should look for an alternative flight option.