State health officials reported 2,296 new COVID-19 cases, Monday, for a total of 2,272,102 infections. The Florida Department of Health also reported 52 coronavirus-related deaths yesterday, increasing the statewide death toll to 36,498 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.
The latest single-day positivity rate reported by the Florida Division of Emergency Management stood at 7.31% on Sunday. Over the past two weeks the single-day positivity rate has ranged between 6.06% and 7.31%.
The Agency for Health Care Administration reports that as of this morning the number of patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to hospitals throughout the state has dropped to 2,717. In Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hendry, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties combined there are currently 247 admitted patients with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19.
Lee Health reported Monday afternoon that the number of patients being treated for COVID-19 throughout the health system's hospitals has increased to 105. Currently 76% of Lee Health's ventilator capacity and 20% of ICU rooms are available. The health system reports having 8 COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 21 COVID-19 patients in intensive care.
As of Monday morning, the Florida Division of Emergency Management reported more than 9.3 million (9,311,399) people have been vaccinated including more than 2.2 million (2,223,334) people who have received a first dose, and more than 7 million (7,088,055) who have either completed the two-dose series or who have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Publix Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccines to Walk-Ins
Already CVS, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, and Sam's Club allow walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Now Publix joins the list. But appointments are still recommended as retailers can only accommodate walk-ins if there is enough vaccine supply. Leon County Health Department spokesperson Pam Saulsby said supply for the vaccine has outstripped demand.
"Many vaccine providers are having to come up with new ways to vaccinate the hard to reach and the hesitant. As much as demand is falling, DOH Leon believes there are still people who very much want to get it but have not been able to," Saulsby said in a statement to WFSU.
Saulsby thinks having an option to get vaccinated with no need for an appointment will help with that.
Publix is inoculating people 18 and older with either the two-dose Moderna vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Publix is still encouraging people to make a vaccine appointment online and walk-in customers should still check with their local store before showing up for a shot.
Publix operates more than 1,200 stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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