Broward community spread risk level rises as state’s number of patients trends up

What does the COVID-19 situation look like in Florida this week?

In the past seven days, the state has added 7,332 cases and 18 deaths per day, on average, according to Miami Herald calculations of data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over the past three weeks, on average, 160 more cases were logged each day in Florida, showing an increase in trends.

As of Tuesday, more than 14,431,000 people were fully vaccinated in Florida. The state has logged at least 6,030,141 cases and 74,241 deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The number of cases is likely an undercount due to positive results from athome testing. The state also only tracks resident cases and deaths, excluding nonresidents.

Here’s a breakdown of what to know this week:

The Herald is unable to report the past week’s county level cases and deaths because the CDC said in its Community Profile Report that Florida has not reported that data to the agency in the last week.

The Florida Department of Health did not immediately provide a reason for the CDC’s claim but said its has reached out to the U.S. agency regarding the matter.

SOUTH FLORIDA

Broward was raised to a medium COVID risk level this week, joining MiamiDade as the rest of the state sits at a low risk level, according to the CDC. Under the medium risk level, the CDC is no longer encouraging masks indoors.

However, it’s still recommending that people considered to be high risk for severe illness speak with their healthcare providers on whether they should wear a mask.

Palm Beach and Monroe are at low risk level, the CDC said..

For the immunocompromised, the CDC recommends having a plan for rapid testing and for talking to your doctor about treatments such as oral antivirals, PrEP and monoclonal antibodies.

The CDC no longer offers recommendations for the use of masks, though it still advises people to maintain improved ventilation while indoors when possible. The agency does note, however, that “at all levels, people can wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.”

HOSPITALIZATIONS

The number of people hospitalized with COVID has continued to increase. There were 1,846 people hospitalized in Florida, with 192 in ICUs, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services report on Tuesday.

Over the past three weeks, on average, 29 more people were hospitalized each day in Florida, showing an increase in hospital trends. ICU patients are also trending upward with 3 more people in the units, on average, over the past three weeks.

At delta’s August peak, more than 15,000 patients were hospitalized in Florida, according to HHS data.

Miami-Dade County no longer collects and reports COVID hospitalizations data in its “COVID-19 Daily Dashboard.”

VACCINATIONS

About 14,431,003 eligible Floridians — 67.2% of the state’s population — have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. About 5,855,653 Floridians have received a booster, about 40.6% of the state’s fully vaccinated population.

In Miami-Dade, about 780,698 people, or 33.7% of the fully vaccinated population, have received a booster.

In Broward, about 554,015 (39.6%)

In Palm Beach, about 435,338 (43.7%)

In Monroe, about 22,510 (38.5%)