Florida’s new COVID-19 positivity dropped to 18% for the seven day period ending Feb. 3, according the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) weekly report. Statewide, new case positivity was 23.5% the previous week.

Health officials continue to encourage vaccinations for those over age 5 as the most effective protection against serious illness and death from any of the covid variants.

As of Feb. 3, COVID-19 has been responsible for 66,279 deaths in Florida, and an increase of 1,284 deaths in the past week. Those who have not been vaccinated are at the highest risk, per FDOH.

New COVID-19 hospitalizations for the week ending Feb. 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control, were:

• Glades County:  0;
• Hendry County: 7;
• Martin County: 139;
• Okeechobee County: 30;
• Palm Beach County: 374.

For the counties around the lake, new case positivity appears to be on the way down. New case positivity for the Feb. 3 report was:

• Glades County – 29.5%, compared to 40.5% the previous week;
  • Hendry County – 24.6% compared to 35.5% the previous week;
  
  • Martin County – 16.5% compared to 22.9% the previous week;
  • Okeechobee County – 26.2compared to 32.8% the previous week;
  • Palm Beach County – 15.1% compared to 24.5%  the previous week.

New covid cases for the seven day period ending Feb. 3 were:

• Glades County – 34 (compared to 62 previous week);
  • Hendry County – 267 (compared to 473 previous week);
  • Martin County – 615 (compared to 1,139 previous week);
  • Okeechobee County – 233 (compared to 416 previous week);
  • Palm Beach County – 5,793 (compared to 8,741 previous week).

According to the Florida Department of Health, fully vaccinated persons can still be infected with covid, but are more likely to have no symptoms or only mild symptoms and more likely to recover quickly. 

Statewide, as of Feb. 3, FDOH reported 74% of Floridians age 5 and older have been vaccinated with at least one dose.

In the counties around Lake Okeechobee, vaccination rates are:

• Glades County – 54%,
  • Hendry County – 61%,
  • Martin County – 69%,
  • Okeechobee County – 51%,
  • Palm Beach County – 76%.

For COVID-19 testing sites, go online to https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/ Americans can also go online to COVIDtests.gov to order free at home tests, which will be delivered by mail. Some of those who ordered tests on Jan. 19  -- the first day the site opened -- have already received them in the mail.

Those who test positive are asked to stay home for at least five days to avoid spreading the virus to others.

COVID-19 vaccinations are free and available at most pharmacies. To find a vaccination site near you, go online to https://florida