By Marsha Mullings, MPH
USA
30 million cases, 544,000 deaths
Florida
2 million cases, 83,446 total hospitalizations, 32,742 deaths
Broward
205,687 cases, 9,321 total hospitalizations, 2,595 deaths
Pandemic Update
* Coronavirus cases are levelling off, after a surge in the northeast states such as New York and New Jersey. Average daily case is 55,000.
* The average number of deaths is 1,100 per day.
Vaccine Update
* 13% of the US population has been fully vaccinated. 24% have received at least one vaccine dose.
* 12% of Florida has received a complete series of vaccination; 22% have received the first vaccine dose.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that all Florida residents 50 and older will be eligible to receive inoculations by Monday, March 22.
* Miami-Dade will begin offering vaccinations to Floridians 40 and older by March 29.
*The federal government will create a website by May 1 where adults can sign up for vaccination. The site will refer individuals to their closest vaccination center, therefore eliminating the need for signing up at different sites in the hope of obtaining an appointment.
Coronavirus Variants
Coronavirus variants are proliferating across all 50 states in the US:
* 6390 confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 (UK variant)
* 194 confirmed cases of B.1.351 (South African variant
* 54 confirmed cases of P.1 (Brazilian variant)
Florida has 1040 confirmed cases of B.1.1.7, the highest number in the US. We also have 21 confirmed cases of P.1, and 9 confirmed cases of B1.351 variants.
Disease mitigation remains the critical weapon in defeating this pandemic. The key step that we can take is to practice good COVID-19 control strategies:
* Observe social distancing guidelines (6 feet or more of separation from others).
* Practice good hand hygiene (wash hands frequently with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizers).
* Wear a mask when out in public.
* MAvoid crowded indoor locations where possible.
For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org; coronavirus.jhu.edu; cdc.gov
