Coronavirus Report: September 19, 2022

By Marsha Mullings, MPH

USA

Cases: 95.7 million

Deaths: 1.05 million

Florida

Cases:  7.1 million

Deaths: 80,782

Update

* Coronavirus cases across the US have fallen every week for the last two months.

* The daily average number of new cases has fallen to 62,000.

* Deaths have also decreased over the last month. The daily average is now 465, down 6% over the last two weeks.

* Cases have fallen by 41% in Florida over the last two weeks. Coronavirus deaths in the state have fallen 33% over the previous two weeks.

Announcement

 New COVID-19 boosters are available. The updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned -since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading (CDC).

Individuals are encouraged to obtain COVID-19 booster shots to enhance their immunity to infection and severe disease. Please contact your health care provider for more information about vaccine boosters.

For more information on corona-virus (COVID-19) prevention, visit www.FloridaHealth.org; nyt.com; www.coronavirus.jhu.edu;  www.cdc.gov;

Other infectious disease note

Monkeypox –Monkeypox continues to be a public health emergency across the globe. Cases continue to rise across the US.

The Numbers:

– 61,282 cases reported in 104 countries

– 23,499 confirmed cases in the United States

– 2,352 confirmed cases in Florida

– 649 confirmed cases 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 physical contact with someone who is infected with the disease. Anyone is at risk for Monkeypox.

Monkeypox symptoms

• Rash – which may go through several stages, including scabs, before healing
• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

Monkeypox rashes may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

An infected person may experience all or only a few symptoms.

For more information on Monkeypox, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html