While COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths continue to increase, vaccinations in South Central Florida have slowed.

According to the Florida Hospital Association update issued Aug. 17, 2020,  16,521 Floridians were hospitalized related to COVID-19.

Statewide, 36.1% of all hospital patients have confirmed COVID-19; 22.5% of COVID-19 patients hospitalized are in ICU and 15.1% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are on ventilators.

The majority of Florida hospitals – 75.6% – have critical staffing shortages related to the influx of COVID-19 patients.

“There can be no question that many Florida hospitals are stretched to their absolute limits,” said Mary C. Mayhew, President and CEO, Florida Hospital Association.

For the week of Aug. 13-19, there were 342 new COVID-19 deaths in Florida (compared to 286 the previous week), according to the Florida Department of Health. Since the pandemic began 42,252 Floridians have died related to the virus. In the first wave of the virus, most of those who died were over the age of 65, but the most recent peak is sending more younger people to the hospital. More than 86% of those over age 65 have been vaccinated, making them less at risk of hospitalization or death should they contract the virus.

Covid deaths to date in Florida included:
• Under age 16: 11;
• Ages 16-29: 207;
• Ages 30-39: 502:
• Ages 40-49: 1,344;
• Ages 50-59: 3,313;
• Ages 60-64: 3,060;
• Ages 65+: 33,815.

To date, 1.4% of Floridians who tested positive for COVID-19 have died related to the virus, according to FDOH.

Despite the increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19, vaccinations in some areas have slowed. According to the Florida Department of Health, in the seven day period ending Aug. 19:
• 3,762 Collier County residents were vaccinated (compared to 4,582 previous week);

• 100 Glades County residents were vaccinated (compared to 90 previous week);
• 401 Hendry County residents were vaccinated (compared to 543 previous week;
• 930 Highlands County resident were vaccinated (compared to 932, previous week);
• 791 Martin County residents were vaccinated (compared to 1,636 previous week);
• 333 Okeechobee County residents were vaccinated (compared to 383, previous week);
• 13,673 Palm Beach County residents were vaccinated (compared to 16,335, previous week).

The majority (90-95%) of those hospitalized related to COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data. While it is possible for a vaccinated person to contract the covid delta variant, most vaccinated people will have no symptoms or mild symptoms. According to the CDC, most of the breakthrough cases occurred in people over the age of 65. Some medications interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccines. (If you are concerned about the effectiveness of your vaccination, your doctor can order an antibody test to determine if the vaccine worked.)

If you wind up in the hospital with covid, you could also face high medical bills. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, many insurance companies waived co-pays and deductibles for patients who were hospitalized due to the virus. Those waivers are now lapsing, and with vaccine widely available, insurance companies are less likely to renew the waivers.

According to the Florida Department of Health report released Aug. 20, Florida had a new case positivity rate of 19.8% for the week (compared to 19.3% previous week).

Statewide 66% of those over age 12 have been vaccinated.

In South Central Florida, for the week of Aug 13-Aug. 19:

• Collier County: 71% of those over age 12 are vaccinated; 21.6% new positivity rate; 2,268 new cases for the week (compared to 2,168 previous week);

• Glades County: 47% of those over age 12 vaccinated; 34.5% new positivity rate; 58 new cases for the week (compared to 40 the previous week);

• Hendry County: 51% of those over age 12 vaccinated; 28.9% new positivity rate; 406 new cases for the week (compared to 222 previous week);

• Highlands County: 58% of those over age 12 vaccinated; 25.9% new positivity rate; 730 new cases for the week (compared to 626 previous week);

• Martin County: 64% of persons over age 12 vaccinated; 19.6% new positivity rate; 673 new cases for the week (compared to 652 previous week);

• Okeechobee County: 44% of persons over age 12 vaccinated; 30.4% new positivity rate; 380 new cases for the week (compared to 383 previous week);

• Palm Beach County: 70% of persons over age 12 vaccinated; 17.9% new case positivity rate; 9,257 new cases for the week (compared to 9,159 previous week).

Florida has more than 1,000 vaccine distribution sites for eligible residents. Vaccines are free at all locations. To find COVID-19 testing or vaccination sites, go online to floridahealthcovid19.gov.

According to the most recent estimates by the Centers for Disease Control, the COVID-19 delta variant is now the dominant strain in the United States.

Nationwide, COVID-19 cases numbers continue to fall in areas with higher rates of COVID-19 vaccinations, and rise in areas with lower vaccination rates.

In Florida, older residents are more likely to be vaccinated.
• 86% of those over age 65 are vaccinated.
• 80% of those ages 60-64 are vaccinated.
• 72% of those ages 50-59 are vaccinated.
• 65% of those ages 40-49 are vaccinated;
• 55% of those ages 30-39 are vaccinated;
• 47% of those ages 20-29 are vaccinated;
• 47% of those ages 12-19 are vaccinated.

CDC advises uses of masks
Because vaccinated persons may be infected with the covid delta variant and have no symptoms, the CDC advises everyone – vaccinated or unvaccinated – to wear a face mask in public places where it is not possible to maintain social distance of 6 feet from those not in your immediate household.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued guidance recommending that everyone older than 2 wear a mask in schools, regardless of vaccination their status.