FL Health Department Reports Single-Day High Record Number Of New COVID-19 Infections
Thursday saw the highest number of new COVID-19 infections reported in Florida in a single day since the start of the pandemic. State health officials reported 19,816 new cases, Jan. 7, for a total of 1,429,722 cases.
The Florida Department of Health also reported 164 coronavirus related deaths, yesterday, increasing the statewide death toll to 22,817 fatalities.
This week Florida has reported no fewer than 15,000 additional cases per day.
The latest single-day positivity rate reported by the Florida Division of Emergency Management stood at 13.15% on Wednesday. Over the past two weeks, Florida's single-day positivity rate has ranged between 10.04% and 26.34%.
The Agency for Health Care Administration reports that as of this morning there are 565 patients admitted to hospitals with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 in Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota Counties combined.
Statewide 7,380 people were hospitalized with the virus as of Friday morning
As of Thursday morning, 384,223 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine had been administered across the state.
In Manatee County, Gov. DeSantis Vows More Vaccines To Meet High Senior Demand
Long lines and crashing websites continue to bog down Florida's coronavirus vaccine rollout. Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Bradenton Thursday to talk about vaccine availability.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared at a Manatee County drive-through vaccination site open to residents 65 and older who were able to snag an available vaccine slot.
"Today we're here to highlight the county-run vaccination site at Bennett Park," said DeSantis. "Here what you see is a very well run, very efficient operation."
Across Florida, seniors are finding it difficult to even secure an appointment on the phone or online.
DeSantis said Thursday that he has asked the federal government for more vaccine doses to alleviate the demand, but offered no timeline.
“We're going to do significantly more shots this week than last week throughout the state as long as we get more supply and so that's the type of momentum that I think we want to continue,” he said. "Our goal is to get it done as quickly as possible."
In response to the problems tied to reservations, Manatee County is implementing a vaccine lottery system. Seniors can pre-register online by calling vax.mymanatee.org or by calling 311. The County is increasing the number of 311 information hotline operators to get people's information into the vaccine lottery pool. When vaccine doses become available, a randomized list of registered residents will then get an appointment.
COVID-19 Vaccines In Collier County Next Week
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. Jan. 8, more appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine opened in Collier County through the website: CollierCountyCOVIDVaccines.Eventbrite.com.
700 vaccine doses a day will be administered next Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at a drive through vaccine clinic at North Collier Regional Park soccer fields at 15000 Livingston Road in North Naples.
Why Florida's COVID Numbers Are Soaring, But Hospitalizations Are Not
Florida’s COVID-19 numbers are soaring again. Florida International University infectious disease specialist. Dr. Aileen Marty said new variants of the coronavirus from the United Kingdom and South Africa spread easily and are affecting the spike.
“Coupled with people not following the public health guidelines, you cannot drop your guard in any way shape or form,” said Dr. Marty.
The Florida Department of Health reported the highest single-day increase in COVID-19 infections, Thursday and this week hasn't seen a single-day with fewer than 15,000 new cases. Despite the numbers, hospitals are not over-run.
“In some of our hospitals we’re not admitting patients as early as we were before.,” said Dr. Marty.
She said some patients are receiving mono-clonal antibodies to take at home.
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