While the number of deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 has decreased, compared to the previous years, the first month of 2024 brought COVID-19 deaths to the counties around Lake Okeechobee.

According to the Florida Department of Health data:

• Okeechobee County has had 1 covid death in 2024; 17 deaths in 2023; 38 deaths in 2022; 102 deaths in 2021 and 59 deaths in 2020.

• Hendry County has had 1 covid death in 2024; 8 deaths in 2023; 31 deaths in 2022; 86 deaths in 2021; and 55 deaths in 2020.

• Glades County has had 1 covid death in 2024; 1 death in 2023; 3 deaths in 2022; 19 deaths in 2021 and 15 deaths in 2020.

• Martin County has had 11 covid deaths in 2024; 110 deaths in 2023; 223 deaths; 312 deaths in 2021 and 211 deaths in 2020.

• Palm Beach County has had 48 covid deaths in 2024; 605 deaths in 2023; 1,523 deaths in 2022; 2,394 deaths in 2021 and 1,969 deaths in 2020.

• Statewide, Florida has had 610 covid deaths in 2024; 8,411 deaths in 2023; 21,285 deaths in 2022; 39,868 deaths in 2021; and, 23,344 deaths in 2020.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the JN.1 variant is now the most widely circulating variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States and globally. COVID-19 infections are now causing severe disease less frequently than earlier in the pandemic. Infection levels measured using wastewater and test positivity, which capture both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, are higher than the year before.

By comparison, measures of COVID-19-related illness requiring medical attention, such as emergency department visit rates, have also increased, but to a lesser extent and remain 21% lower than they were at the same time the year before. Furthermore, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations are 22% lower than observed the year before, and the percent of total deaths associated with COVID-19 are 38% lower.

This change in the relationship between infection levels and illness severity is related to greater immune protection levels provided by vaccines, prior infection, or both. According to the CDC, over 97% of people have natural or vaccine-induced antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). This immune protection can fade over time but tends to last longer for preventing severe disease than for preventing infections.

It is also important to remember that COVID-19 and the longer-term effects of COVID-19, such as Long COVID, remain important public health threats, especially for people who are at higher risk of severe illness.

The CDC advises that current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as they do against other variants, by helping prevent severe illness.

According to the CDC, the following actions can help protect you and your loved ones against severe COVID-19:

• Consult your doctor about which vaccines are recommended for you.

• Test if you develop respiratory symptoms or are exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

• Talk to a healthcare provider about treatment if you test positive and are at higher risk for severe COVID-19.

• Help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Stay home if you are sick. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Avoid contact with people who have COVID-19, whether or not they feel sick.

• Improving your indoor air quality is one of the best ways to prevent spread. This can be as simple as using a portable air cleaner or opening windows (for those with pleasant winter weather). And if your home thermostat offers a FAN option, turn it from AUTO to ON when you have visitors to keep air running continuously.