By Marsha Mullings, MPH
USA
Cases: 84 million
Deaths: 1.0 million
Florida
Cases: 6.1 million
Deaths: 74,466
Update
Coronavirus cases are stabilizing in the Northeast but still rising rapidly in the South and Southwest.
The country is now averaging 110,000 new coronavirus cases per day, a 30% increase over the last two weeks.
The US has passed the milestone of 1 million recorded COVID-19 deaths.
Florida continues to record rising coronavirus cases. The state reports an average of 9,600 new cases per day, up 70% over the last two weeks.
Hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 are rising in South Florida. Deaths are up 15% over the last two weeks.
The risk of coronavirus transmission has risen from Moderate to High in South Florida.
Announcement
Two new Omicron variants (B4 and B5) have been detected in the US. These variants emerged in South Africa and are thought to be more transmissible than other Omicron variants.
The B4 and B5 Omicron subvariants appear to have the ability to evade the vaccines. Vaccines are still highly effective in preventing progression to severe illness, in the event of infection with coronavirus.
Other infectious disease note – Cases of Monkeypox disease are rising across the world. Two cases have been reported in Broward County. Monkeypox is an infectious disease that causes pox-like vesicles on the face, hands, and other parts of the body. The disease is spread by direct contact with someone who is infected with the disease. Monkeypox is not airborne or spread by respiratory droplets, like coronavirus. For more information on Monkeypox, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org; nyt.com; www.coronavirus.jhu.edu; www.cdc.gov;
