Florida’s COVID-19 decreased slightly last week according to the Florida Department of Health report for Set. 22-28, released Sept. 29.
FDOH releases COVID-19 information every two weeks.
According to the report, Florida had 35 COVID-19 deaths for the week, down from 47 deaths for the previous report.
Since the start of the pandemic, Florida has recorded 91,178 covid-related deaths.
For the most recent week reported:
Collier County had 131 new cases.
Glades County had one new case.
Hendry County had 12 new cases.
Okeechobee County 10 new cases.
Palm Beach County had 588 new cases.
COVID-19 positive results are only recorded as new cases if that individual never tested positive before. The report only includes positive results from hospitals, health departments and labs that report to FDOH. Those who take home tests are not included.
The federal government will send four free COVID-19 rapid tests per household to anyone who requests them.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, treatments that can reduce the virus load in the body are now available and have been found to be effective, but for these treatments to work, they must be administered within the first five days after symptoms start. The earlier the treatment is given, the more effective in preventing serious illness or death.
To order covid tests for your home, go online to www.covid.gov/tests Need help placing an order for your at-home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
If you obtained COVID-19 rapid tests and have not yet used them, they may have passed the expiration date on the box. However, some tests are still good past the date printed on the boxes. Before discarding expired tests, check the lot numbers against the list on COVIDtests.gov. The expiration dates for many tests have been extended.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control advises people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
As the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate, protection from the initial rounds of vaccines may wane, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Likewise, those who already had covid may not have immunity to the new strains.
Search for vaccination sites by zip code at Vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829 or by calling 800-232-0233 (TTY: 888-720-7489).
