COVID-19 risk continued to decline in South Central Florida 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.

In South Central Florida, Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach and Martin counties all have low levels of covid transmission, according to the CDC. Highlands County is at medium risk of covid transmission. 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.

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

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%.

Highlands County has 63% vaccinated. Last week the county had 51 new covid positives and a new positivity rate of 3.1%.

Martin County has 69% vaccinated. Last week the county had 50 new covid positives and a new positivity rate of 2.3%. The previous week, Martin County had a new positivity rate of 3.7%.

Okeechobee County has 51% vaccinated. Last week the county had nine new positives and a 2.7% new positivity rate according to FDOH. The previous week, Okeechobee County had a new positivity rate of 4.0%.

Palm Beach County has 76% vaccinated. Last week the county had 712 new positives and a 2.6% new positivity rate. The previous week, the county had a new positivity rate of 3.1%.

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.

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.