By Marsha Mullings, MPH
USA
29.4 million cases, 536,000 deaths
Florida
2 million cases, 82,256 total hospitalizations, 32,300 deaths
Broward
201,500 cases, 9,203 total hospitalizations, 2,547 deaths
Pandemic Update
*The coronavirus case count has fallen steadily to an average of 50,000 new infections per day.
*The average number of deaths is 1,800 per day.
*President Biden has announced that he will direct every state to expand eligibility for vaccination to all adults by May 1. The White House was careful to note that this does not indicate that all adults will be vaccinated by May 1. It simply signifies that universal eligibility will be available in all states by that date.
*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.
*At this point, 10% of Floridians are fully vaccinated and 20% have received at least one dose.
The number of confirmed coronavirus variants across the US is expanding.
*4690 confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 (UK variant), 143 of B.1.351 (South African variant) and 25 of P.1 (Brazilian variant) have been reported across the country.
*Florida tops the nation with 738 confirmed cases of B.1.1.7. We also have 13 confirmed cases of P.1 and 2 cases of B.1.351 here.
Disease mitigation remains a critical weapon in decelerating the spread of virus variants and ultimately, 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.
*Avoid crowded indoor locations where possible.
For more information on coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org; coronavirus.jhu.edu; cdc.gov
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