Coronavirus cases on the rise again throughout the state, Alachua County – Gainesville Sun

After 2 year hiatus, White House hosts Easter Egg Roll

Undaunted by soggy skies, President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, kicked off the first White House Easter Egg Roll since before the coronavirus pandemic on Monday, welcoming some 30,000 kids and adults for the all-day event. (April 18)

AP

The coronavirus pandemic continues to linger after more than two years.

Throughout Florida, at least 20,860 people last week were diagnosed with the virus, according to the Florida Department of Health, bringing its cumulative known case count to 5,899,188 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The state also added26 people to its death toll, bringing the death total to73,830.

Unlike other states around the country, Florida rolled backCOVID-19 reporting, now releasingdataevery other week. But as Florida roes back reporting, and safety precautions, cases arebeginning to trend upward again as a new subvariantsBA.2 makes its way aroundin the U.S.

Cases have climbed each of the past six weeks, data shows.

Hospitalizations drop: Hospital admissions for COVID-19 drop at Gainesville hospitals but peak may yet be ahead

More: COVID-19 update: Alachua County numbers are falling, but a subvariant of omicron looms

On March 11, the state reported 8,038 cases. On April 8, Florida saw 15,623 cases. During that month span, the positivity rate climbed from 1.9% to 6.1%.

The true number of infected Floridians is unknown, as home testing has become increasingly more popular. Approximately 74% of Florida's residents are also vaccinated, reducing symptoms for many.

In Alachua County, at least 159 new cases were reported last week, with a 4.1% positivity rate.

The county has had a cumulative case count of 68,467 since March2020.

An additional 35 county residents were vaccinated over the last week, bringing the total vaccinations to 181,905, or about 70% of the local vaccine-eligible population.

Nearby counties largely recorded low case numbers and positivity rates:

Neighboring counties are also reporting new cases.

Bradford County had at least 15 known cases with a 5.9% positivity rate. About 49% of the countys vaccine-eligible population has been vaccinated.

Columbia County recorded 18cases with a 2.3% positivity rate. At least 48%of the county has been vaccinated.

Gilchrist county had just three new positive cases with a 1.8% positivity rate. About 44% of the county age 5 and up has been vaccinated.

Marion County recorded 142 new cases with a 3.5% positivity rate. About 64% of that countys vaccine-eligible population has been vaccinated.

UF Health Shands Hospital reported Monday morning that it was treating 20 patients for COVID 19,five of whom arein the intensive care unit.

HCA Florida North Florida Hospital has fiveCOVID-19 patients in-house, none of those are in the ICU.

Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center has justone COVID-19 patient in the hospital. The patient is not in anICU beds, as of Monday.

Read this article:

Coronavirus cases on the rise again throughout the state, Alachua County - Gainesville Sun