LABELLE — During the regular meeting of the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), Dr. Joseph Pepe discussed the current COVID-19 statistics for Hendry County. There has been a surge in local COVID-19 positive cases that correlates with Thanksgiving gatherings and extracurricular activities at schools. While the concern is that the upcoming holidays may spread the virus further, Dr. Pepe expressed that he is hopeful a vaccine will soon begin to be distributed.

Dr. Pepe serves as the Administrator at the Florida Department of Health in Hendry County. During the BOCC meeting, he presented the Florida COVID-19 dashboard, as well as a more focused county dashboard. The statistics revealed that Hendry County has kept a higher positivity rate but a lower fatality rate when compared to other Florida counties. He then pointed out that numbers of positive cases have now begun to increase in most other areas in Florida.

The median age of those testing positive in Hendry County is 37, which Dr. Pepe believes has helped reduce the overall negative impact on the population, and is the reason that out of 2600 people testing positive, only 242 have had to be hospitalized.

“Our hospital system is holding its own, and we have the resources needed to take care of our community,” he said. However, Dr. Pepe warned, nearby hospitals have been increasingly busy. He went on to explain that several types of testing have been conducted, including rapid tests when warranted.

He also explained heath professionals are focused on working to protect the most vulnerable populations, and that vaccines will go before emergency use approval soon. After approval, the next phase is distribution. The initial distribution will be small and will include a few hospitals and pharmacies with most vulnerable members of the population and healthcare workers first in line.

“Realistically, a small amount of vaccines will start in December, then distribution will ramp up in January or February,” Dr. Pepe said.

He also addressed the concerns regarding safety or efficacy of the vaccines, and acknowledged there is a fear of forced vaccination, “Vaccines will not be mandated,” he said. He added they are working to make sure that reliable, factual information regarding the vaccines would be available.