The most recent coronavirus pandemic shows no indications of abating as families across Florida and the country celebrate Christmas this weekend, indoors and uncovered, with few of them up to date on COVID-19 immunizations.
As a result of offshoots of the virus’s omicron form, COVID hospitalizations in the state are at a three-month high. Less than one in ten Floridians who are eligible have received the most recent vaccines for omicron subvariants.
As per The Palm Beach Post, last week, medical facilities cared for 1,897 COVID-positive individuals, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported on Thursday. This is the highest point since September 21.
Just 9% of Florida individuals aged 5 and older have received the most recent Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which were licensed by the federal government in late August and designed for the omicron subtypes responsible for recent illnesses. Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the national average is 14%.
Two federal studies published this week analyzed the vaccination status of thousands of COVID patients in the United States and concluded that the most recent booster is significantly more beneficial at preventing hospitalization than the initial two doses or no vaccination.
In addition, the CDC does not believe that hospitalizations and caseloads have reached a level that would warrant the recommendation of indoor masking in any county in Florida in order to prevent burden on local medical systems.
Numerous COVID instances go undetected in official statistics due to the popularity of at-home testing. And the administration of President Joe Biden offers free exams to anyone who order them online at covid.gov/tests. Test results indicate that the present wave will continue to increase.
During the week ending December 18, more than 15% of statewide tests were positive, according to the CDC, the highest rate since early September. In the past week, health officials recorded more than 19,000 cases, an almost three-month high.
COVID has killed more than 83,000 Floridians and infected more than 7.3 million Floridians.
