Cases of COVID in Florida reach a record, as deaths also increase

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Florida coronavirus cases remain at record levels, as more than 11,000 new cases were reported on Monday, along with 163 deaths, while the state’s vaccination program rollout continues.

The Florida Department of Health reported 11,576 new cases, since the state’s seven-day average is about 15,000 a day. This is about 40% higher than the previous 11,000 peak reached in July. There were 7,650 people hospitalized in Florida with COVID-19 on Monday morning, a jump of about 150 from Sunday.

The state reported approximately 140 coronavirus deaths per day last week – the weekly average peaked at 183 per day in August, but dropped to 40 in November before the most recent increase began. Increases in the death rate generally follow jumps in cases of about a month.

For comparison, heart disease and cancer, by far the two biggest causes of death in the state, each kills an average of about 125 Floridians a day.

The increase in cases and deaths occurs as the state tries to implement its vaccination program – Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the immunization of people aged 65 and over, health professionals and nursing home patients.

“The fact is that this virus has been more deadly for the elderly. We have to support our elderly. We understand the data, we understand where the risk is. Let’s focus on the elderly first, ”said DeSantis over the weekend, while visiting a vaccination clinic at a senior center in Panhandle.

Dr. Martin Makary, a researcher, surgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins University, praised DeSantis for prioritizing senior citizens in Florida, saying that giving the vaccine to older residents first is a simple and easier system to follow than using other formulas that combine several risk factors. He said Florida’s prioritization system should be a model for other states.

“If we used a simple age-based allocation system that also tried to achieve the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidance goals, but acted faster, we would save more lives,” he said. “This is what we are seeing in Europe. This is what we are seeing in Florida ”.

But there have been problems in getting the vaccine to the elderly. Across the state, online and telephone systems for applying for vaccinations have come to a halt under pressure from thousands of people trying to access the systems at once. US Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said that DeSantis and her government need to better plan the implementation, which started last month after months of anticipation.

“How are we going to inspire confidence in people who get the vaccine if you are not even able to coordinate and clearly explain how they can get it?” the Broward County Democrat told The Miami Herald.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle pain and loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.