3,002 COVID-19 deaths in Florida for 2024 so far but new surge with 21,531 cases in first week of July sounds alarms
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 24, 2024 3 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
U.S. Medical News: COVID-19 Resurgence in Florida: A Summer Spike
Florida is witnessing a troubling resurgence of COVID-19 cases, with the state Department of Health reporting a significant increase in the first week of July. The state recorded 21,531 new cases, marking an 11% rise from the lowest weekly total of 2,390 cases in April. This surge signals one of the highest weekly case counts of the year and has raised alarms across various counties in the state.
https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/respiratory-illness/COVID-19/index.html
3,002 COVID-19 deaths in Florida for 2024 so far but new surge with 21,531 cases
in first week of July sounds alarms
County-by-County Breakdown: Rising Cases
The county-wise data reflects a high number of cases, although there was a slight decrease from the first to the second week of July. Miami-Dade County reported 4,119 cases in the first week and 3,568 in the second week. Similarly, Broward County saw a decline from 2,225 to 1,718 cases over the same period. Other counties, including Palm Beach, Hillsborough, and Orange, also recorded more than 1,000 cases in both weeks, underscoring the widespread nature of the current surge.
These figures surpass the winter spike in January, aligning with a nationwide trend of rising COVID-19 cases.
Understanding the Surge: Subvariants and Immune Evasion
Health experts attribute the increase in cases to the highly transmissible subvariant strains of the Omicron variant. These strains have mutated to evade many people's immune systems, making them extremely contagious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports high viral activity in wastewater across the country, although hospitalizations and death rates remain relatively moderate levels.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#wastewater-surveillance
https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html
The symptoms of the current strain are similar to previous ones, including mild fever, body aches, stuffy nose, and difficulty breathing. However, an increasing number of patients are experiencing gastrointestinal issues.
“Some people do become very ill and end up in the hospital or even dying because they have underlying factors that contribute to that, but most people recover in three, four, or five days from this current subvariant of COVID-19,” local doctors explained.
Death Toll and Precautions: A Continuing Battle
Despite the surge in cases, Florida has reported a total of 3,002 COVID-19-related deaths this year through June, a significant drop compared to previous years. Last year, the state reported 8,000 deaths, while in 2020, the number was as high as 23,346. Orange County, for instance, reported about 121 deaths in 2024, down from 329 in the previous year.
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Health officials continue to recommend quarantine for three to five days or mask-wearing for those who test positive to protect immunocompromised individuals.
Dr Emily Grant, a public health advisor at USF told U.S. Medical News reporters, “It could infect an immunocompromised person and regain some of its function as far as severity. And we really don't want another variant that causes severe disease.”
Research shows that COVID-19 patients with immunodeficiency are at an increased risk of developing a chronic, prolonged phase of infection. “The best protection against that is for people to try to damp down the transmission as much as possible. So, sequestering oneself during their illness is a good idea,” Dr Grant advises. The U.S. CDC recommends five days of quarantine and taking precautions for 10 days. If a patient is in public, it’s advised they wear a face mask for 10 days.
National Perspective: A Surge Across the U.S.
The summer surge of COVID-19 is not unique to Florida; it is a nationwide phenomenon. The CDC reports an increase in COVID-19 test positivity, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and deaths across the country. Wastewater monitoring data indicates that Florida has "very high" levels of the virus, echoing a broader national trend.
Anecdotally, lots of people are testing positive for COVID right now. Local doctors attribute the increase partly to the emergence of the highly contagious FLiRT variants and recent Fourth of July celebrations and travel.
“We’re kind of getting used to this wave of COVID that comes along periodically as we get a new variant. The pattern that we usually see is if there’s a new variant out there and a holiday, we will see an increase in cases.”
Impact of Summer Travel and Upcoming School Year
With summer travel expected to remain high for a few more weeks, the spread of COVID-19 is likely to continue. Dr Linda Hayes, a travel medicine expert, notes, “So travel is hot. I know we’re looking even worldwide at some of the most popular travel destinations that are just completely packed with people and overcrowded.”
Many experts believe this surge could extend into the start of the upcoming school year. Dr Michael Rogers, a family physician, comments, “From the patients I’ve seen, and reviewing some charts from the positives coming in, it’s the standard cough, fatigue, misery.”
Officials encourage people to take a test and stay home if they feel sick. Dr Rogers adds, “The guidance is no longer to quarantine for that week or two with COVID, but guidance is if you have a virus, whether it be flu, COVID, whatever, you stay home until you’re feeling better or you’ve at least had no fever for 24 hours.”
Florida’s COVID-19 Death Toll: A Sobering Reality
As of mid-2024, more than 3,000 Florida residents have died due to COVID-19. This year’s death toll is lower than in previous years, reflecting the ongoing efforts to manage the virus. Miami-Dade County reported 268 deaths, Palm Beach County 235, and Pinellas County 173. These figures highlight the persistent threat of COVID-19 despite lower overall mortality compared to the pandemic's peak years.
The data underscores the importance of continued vigilance and precautionary measures to protect vulnerable populations and prevent further loss of life. As the state navigates this latest surge, health officials and residents alike must stay informed and proactive in their response to the evolving pandemic.
For the latest U.S. Medical News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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