The demand for COVID-19 vaccinations increased in Florida last week, as evidenced by across-the-board increases in vaccinations in South Central Florida counties.

News about people hospitalized due to the new highly contagious delta variant, along with data showing 95% of those hospitalized and 99% of new covid deaths were unvaccinated persons, apparently inspired the increased demand for the shots.

“The delta variant is ripping through the unvaccinated,” Mary Mayhew, CEO of Florida Hospital Association, said in an interview with USA Today.

In the seven day period ending Aug. 5:
• 4,756 Collier County residents were vaccinated (compared to 3,376 previous week);
• 100 Glades County residents were vaccinated (compared to 74 previous week);
• 530 Hendry County residents were vaccinated (compared to 300 previous week);
• 1.077 Highlands County resident were vaccinated (compared to 712, previous week);
• 1,670 Martin County residents were vaccinated (compared to 1,471 previous week);
• 415 Okeechobee County residents were vaccinated (compared to 270, previous week);
• 18,094 Palm Beach County residents were vaccinated (compared to 14,750, previous week).

COVID-19 infections in Florida continued to increase last week, with 134,906 new cases July 30-Aug. 5 (compared to 110,477 the previous week), according to the Florida Department of Health report released Aug. 6.

Florida had a new case positivity rate of 18.9% for the week (compared to 18.1% previous week).

Statewide 63% of those over age 12 have been vaccinated with at least one dose.

For the week of July 31-Aug. 5, there were 175 new COVID-19 deaths in Florida (compared to 108 the previous week). The FDOH summary does not list where the deaths were. Since the pandemic began 39,695 Floridians have died related to the virus. While most of those deaths (32,186) were persons over the age of 65, eight were under the age of 16. Other covid deaths included:

• Ages 16-29: 166;
• Ages 30-39: 414;
• Ages 40-49: 1,161;
• Ages 50-59: 2,944;
• Ages 60-64: 2,816.

To date, 1.5% of the Floridians who tested positive for COVID-19 have died related to the virus, according to FDOH.

In South Central Florida, for the week of July 31-Aug. 5:

• Collier County: 68% of those over age 12 are vaccinated; 19.2% new positivity rate; 1,963 new cases for the week (compared to 1,442 previous week);

• Glades County: 44% of those over age 12 vaccinated; 20.7% new positivity rate; 19 new cases for the week (compared to 9 the previous week);

• Hendry County: 47% of those over age 12 vaccinated; 18.7% new positivity rate; 162 new cases for the week (compared to 112 previous week);

• Highlands County: 55 % of those over age 12 vaccinated; 21.9% new positivity rate; 552 new cases for the week (compared to 311 previous week);

• Martin County: 62% of persons over age 12 vaccinated; 18.0% new positivity rate; 625 new cases for the week (compared to 557 previous week);

• Okeechobee County: 41% of persons over age 12 vaccinated; 25.1% new positivity rate ; 210 new cases for the week (compared to 154 previous week);

• Palm Beach County: 58% of persons over age 12 vaccinated; 17.1% new case positivity rate; 7,787 new cases for the week (compared to 5,948 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 Centers for the Disease Control, those who are fully vaccinated can be reasonably safe going out in public without a mask. Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated, the CDC warns. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

According to the most recent estimates by the CDC, 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.
• 85% of those over age 65 are vaccinated.
• 78% of those ages 60-64 are vaccinated.
• 69% of those ages 50-59 are vaccinated.
• 61% of those ages 40-49 are vaccinated.
• 51% of those ages 30-39 are vaccinated.
• 43% of those ages 20-29 are vaccinated.
• 41% of those ages 12-19 are vaccinated.