As Florida begins vaccinations for COVID-19, the Florida Department of Health continues to remind everyone to wash their hands often, wear cloth face coverings in public when they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from others and stay home if you are sick.

Statewide, as of Dec. 29, Florida had 61,663 residents hospitalized related to COVID-19 (5% of all cases) and 21,308 deaths (2% of all cases).

The rural counties around Lake Okeechobee have all reported deaths related to COVID-19.

• Okeechobee County has had 51 deaths related to COVID-19. To date 232 COVID-19 positive residents have been hospitalized. As of Dec. 29, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), six Okeechobee County residents are currently hospitalized related to COVID-19. One of the county’s eight ICU beds is open.

• Glades County has had 11 deaths related to COVID-19. To date, 57 COVID-19 positive residents have been hospitalized. According to AHCA, no Glades County residents are currently hospitalized for COVID-19. (The county does not have a hospital of its own.)

• Hendry County has had 49 deaths related to COVID-19. To date, 264 COVID-19 positive residents have been hospitalized. According to AHCA, five Hendry County residents are currently hospitalized for COVID-19. All four of the county’s 23 ICU beds are open.

• Palm Beach County has had 1,866 deaths related to COVID-19. To date, 4,892 COVID-19 positive residents have been hospitalized. Currently 333 Palm Beach County residents are hospitalized related to COVID-19, and 133 of the county’s 270 ICU beds are available.

• Martin County has had 207 deaths related to COVID-19. To date, 529 COVID-19 positive residents have been hospitalized. According to AHCA, 39 residents are currently hospitalized for COVID-19. Fourteen of the county’s ICU beds are open.