Florida’s COVID-19 trends show decreasing hospitalizations. The Florida Department of Health continues to encourage residents to use precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.

As of Nov. 3, the State of Florida had 812,063 COVID-19 cases with 49,485 resident hospitalizations and 16,834 resident deaths, since testing started in March. According to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) 2,455 Florida residents are currently hospitalized. The state currently has sufficient ICU beds with 1,659 (20%) of all ICU beds in the state currently available.

Around Lake Okeechobee:
• Okeechobee County has had 1,758 resident cases, 194 resident hospitalizations and 40 resident deaths related to COVID-19 since testing started. According to the AHCA, three COVID-19 positive Okeechobee County residents are currently hospitalized. Okeechobee County’s hospital has three ICU beds open (37% of ICU beds in the county are available).

• Glades County had 613 COVID-19 cases, 51 resident hospitalizations and six resident deaths. According to the AHCA, no COVID-19 positive Glades County residents are currently hospitalized. Glades County does not have a hospital.

• Hendry County had 2,255 COVID-19 cases, 211 resident hospitalizations and 44 resident deaths. According to the AHCA, one COVID-19 positive Hendry County resident is currently hospitalized. The county has four ICU beds available (100% of the ICU beds in the county are available).

• Palm Beach County had 53,151 COVID-19 cases, 4,139 resident hospitalizations and 4,139 resident deaths. According to the AHCA, 153 COVID-19 positive Palm Beach County residents are currently hospitalized. According to AHCA, the county has 147 available ICU beds (37.3% of ICU beds in the county are available),

• Martin County had 5,437 COVID-19 cases, 422 resident hospitalizations and 167 resident deaths. According to the AHCA, five COVID-19 positive Martin County residents are currently hospitalized. Nine ICU beds in Martin County are open (36% of ICU beds in Martin County are available.)

Testing available
The Florida Department of Emergency Management have partnered to offer free COVID-19 testing for all ages. Results will be available within 24 hours. This is open testing with no appointment needed and no criteria or restrictions for testing. Free masks and hand sanitizer will be distributed to those who are tested (while supplies last). Additionally free HIV testing will be available.

The mobile testing bus we be at the following locations (weather permitting):
• Monday Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon, Barron Library – 461 N. Main Street, LaBelle;
• Monday, Nov. 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Hendry County Health Dept. – 1100 S. Olympia, Clewiston;
• Tuesday, Nov.10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 998 US-27, (Parking Lot) Near Doyle Conner Building, Moore Haven.

The Okeechobee County Office of Emergency Management will host a visit by the mobile testing bus on:
• Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Okeechobee City Hall, 55 S,E, Third Avenue from 8 to noon. From 1 to 5 p.m. the bus may move to Flagler Park.

The Florida Department of Health recommends the following precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19:
• Follow social distancing, while you are at work, school, at gatherings or events.
• Don’t go to work, school, church or shopping while you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your face with a face covering when you are in public or around others.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes; cough or sneeze into a tissue, NOT in your hands!
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces and avoid unnecessary travel.

According FDOH data, Okeechobee County COVID-19 related deaths as of Nov. 3 included:
• Female, 65, positive test reported June 22;
• Male, 93, positive test reported June 26;
• Male 70, positive test reported June 26;
• Male 63, positive test reported July 4.
• Male, 60, positive test reported July 6;
• Male, 75, positive test reported July 8;
• Female, 79, positive test reported July 9;
• Male, 87, positive test reported July 9;
• Male, 93, positive test reported, July 9;
• Female, 78, positive test reported July 9;
• Male, 60, positive test reported July 9;
• Male, 60, positive test reported July 10;
• Male, 64, positive test reported July 12;
• Female, 82, positive test reported July 12;
• Female, 83, positive test reported July 16;

• Female, 78, positive test reported July 17;
• Male, 63, positive test reported July 18;
• Female, 42, positive test reported July 21;
• Male, 30, positive test reported July 27;
• Male, 91, positive test reported July 30;
• Female, 82, positive test reported Aug. 1;
• Female, 94, positive test reported Aug. 27;
• Male, 77, positive test reported Aug. 8;
• Female, 83, positive test reported Aug. 9;
• Female, 85, positive test reported Aug. 9;
• Male, 93, positive test reported Aug. 19.
• Male, 62, positive test reported Aug. 26;
• Female, 78, positive test reported Aug. 28.
• Male, 96, positive test reported Sept. 1;
• Female, 91, positive test reported Sept. 2;
• Male, 81, positive test reported Sept. 4;
• Male, 87, positive test reported Sept. 6;
• Male, 73, positive test reported Sept. 9
• Female, 56, positive test reported Sept. 9;
• Female, 29, positive test reported Sept. 10.
• Male, 91, positive test reported Sept. 14;
• Male, 71, positive test reported Sept. 14:
• Male, 81, positive test reported Sept. 18;
• Male, 56, positive test reported Sept. 25.
• Male, 53, positive test reported Sept. 30.

Glades County COVID-19 related deaths, as of Nov. 3 included:
• Male, 89 positive test reported March 29;
• Male, 63, positive test reported June 25;
• Male, 51, positive test reported July 4;
• Female, 80, positive test reported Aug. 20;
• Male, 75, positive test reported Aug. 21;
• Male, 76, positive test reported Sept. 14.

Hendry County COVID-19 related deaths, as of Nov. 3 included:
• Male, 77, positive test reported April 13;
• Male,100, positive test reported April 18;
• Male, 96, positive test reported April 18;
• Male, 82, positive test reported April 20;
• Female, 89, positive test reported April 21;
• Female, 55, positive test reported April 23:

• Male, 75, positive test reported April 24:
• Female, 84, positive test reported April 26;
• Female, 90, positive test reported April 28;
• Male, 55, positive test reported April 30;
• Female, 65, positive test reported May 1;
• Male, 87, positive test reported May 2;
• Female, 72, positive test reported May 3;
• Male, 75, positive test reported May 5;
• Male, 83, positive test reported May 9;
• Female, 86, positive test reported May 10;
• Female, 59, positive test reported May 10;
• Female, 81, positive test reported May 20;
• Female, 54, positive test reported May 20;
• Male, 68, positive test reported May 26;
• Male, 65, positive test reported May 29;
• Male, 69, positive test reported May 30;
• Female, 72, positive test reported June 5;
• Female, 60, positive test reported June 8;
• Female, 58, positive test reported June 9;
• Male, 93, positive test reported June 11;
• Male, 54, positive test reported June 12;
• Female, 91, positive test reported June 12;
• Male, 55, positive test reported June 19;
• Male, 77, positive test reported June 28;
• Male, 67, positive test reported July 4;
• Male, 69, positive test reported July 11;
• Female, 82, positive test reported July 14;
• Female, 77, positive test reported July 20;
• Female, 93, positive test reported July 22;
• Female, 94, positive test reported July 22;
• Male, 55, positive test reported July 31;
• Male, 74, positive test reported Aug, 5;
• Female, 89, positive test reported Aug. 11;
• Female, 44, positive test reported Aug. 13;
• Male, 46, positive test reported Aug. 22;
• Female, 91, positive test reported Aug. 26;
• Female, 78, positive test reported Aug. 27;
• Female, 45, positive test reported Sept. 17.