The Florida Department of Health has revealed an unsettling uptick in COVID-19 cases within the state.
Reports are that over a two-week period starting August 4, the state witnessed 18,556 and 18,518 new cases for each subsequent week, marking the highest total in nearly three months.
Endemic phase: A double-edged sword?
While the new numbers represent a surge, the past two years showed more overwhelming statistics from earlier phases of the pandemic.
Experts maintain that COVID-19 is now in an endemic phase. In this stage, the virus remains a constant presence in the population but usually follows predictable, albeit fluctuating, patterns.
Nearing 90,000 deaths
According to an article by wusfnews on August 21, Florida is on the verge of reaching 90,000 COVID-19 related deaths among its residents.
The death toll reported stood at 89,905, a small but noteworthy increase from the 89,565 recorded at the beginning of August.
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Vulnerable Populations
According to the report, a majority of the fatalities—77.6 per cent—involved residents aged 65 or older.
Additionally, 85.2 percent of the total deaths were among individuals 60 years or older, highlighting the continuing vulnerability of these age groups.
Uncovering the causes
The reasons for the recent uptick are multifaceted, according to experts.
Contributing factors may include waning immunity among the population, an increase in social and family gatherings during the summer months, and the sweltering Florida heat driving people to stay indoors, thereby facilitating the virus’s spread.
In addition to the rise in cases, the Florida Department of Health has noted a decrease in COVID-19 vaccinations.
