By Marsha Mullings, MPH
USA
Cases: 81 million
Deaths: 995,000
Florida
Cases: 5.9 million
Deaths: 74,000
Update
- Coronavirus cases are still rising across the US.
- The average number of new cases is 56,000 per day, a 49% increase over the last two weeks.
- The average number of COVID-19 deaths has fallen to 320 daily across the US, a 28% decline over the previous two weeks.
- New coronavirus cases in Florida have risen 70% in the last two weeks.
- Florida reports an average of 3,800 new cases daily.
- Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 are once again rising in South Florida.
- Omicron subvariant BA.2 is circulating widely in South Florida.
Announcement
The CDC has reported two new Omicron subvariants (BA2.12 and BA2.121) circulating in the US. Scientists believe that the subvariants are responsible for the rising number of cases across the US.
Mask Guidance
The CDC has issued 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;