By Marsha Mullings, MPH
USA
Cases: 79.5 million
Deaths: 972,000
Florida
Cases: 5.8 million
Deaths: 71,860
Update
New coronavirus cases are at their lowest level since last summer. The daily average number of new cases is 34,000; a 48% decrease over the last 2 weeks.
COVID-19 deaths are decreasing but remain high. The average number of deaths is 1,400 daily across the US.
New coronavirus cases continue to wane across Florida. The state has an average of 1,500 new cases daily, a 55% decrease over the previous two weeks.
A new coronavirus variant, dubbed, Deltacron, has been reported in Europe and the US. The new variant is a combination of Delta and Omicron variants. Scientist do not believe that this variant is extremely virulent.
New Mask Guidance
The CDC has issued new guidelines for mask usage in the prevention of COVID-19. The recommendations are based on the level of COVID-19 in the community.
Low: Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.
Medium: If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness – talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions, such as wearing masks or respirators indoors in public.
If you live with or have social contact with someone at high risk for severe illness – consider testing yourself for infection before you get together and wearing a mask when indoors with them.
High: Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings).
If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness – wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection.
South Florida (Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties) is at a medium level of community spread. Mask usage should be considered within the context of this level of COVID-19 in the community.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org; nyt.com; www.coronavirus.jhu.edu; www.cdc.gov;
