COVID-19 risk continued to decline in Hendry and Glades Counties last week.

The weekly report issued by the Florida Department of Health on March 11 shows the state’s new COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped to 2.4%.  A week ago, the rate was 3.3%. The latest data is for March 4-10.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 81.5% of Americans over the age of 5 have been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. As of March 14, 964,774 people in the United States have died related to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. In Florida, 71,860 persons have died related to COVID-19.

Hendry and Glades counties have low levels of covid transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). CDC determines risk based on cases per 100,000 population, new COVID-19 hospital admissions and percent of inpatient hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Hendry County has 62% vaccinated. Last week, the county had six new covid positives and a new positivity rate of 1.4%. The previous week, Hendry County had a new positivity rate of 2.1%.

Glades County has 54% of those over the age of 5 vaccinated. No testing data is available for Glades County for the past week.

CDC determines risk based on cases per 100,000 population, new COVID-19 hospital admissions and percent of inpatient hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

CDC recommendations for those in a county with a low level of risk:
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

CDC recommendations for those in a county with a medium level of risk:
• If you are at high risk of severe illness, talk to your doctor about whether you should wear a mask and take other precautions as advised by your doctor.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free and available at most pharmacies. For vaccination locations near you, go online to https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/ or contact your county health department.