COVID-19 cases double over the course of a week on Space Coast – Florida Today

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Cases of COVID-19 in decline since the last surge in January increased for the first time in nine weeks on the Space Coast, according to data released by the Florida Department of Health Friday.

From April 1 to April 7,there were 312 cases in Brevard County, or 51 cases per 100,000 population compared to 26.3 cases per 100,000 population from the last period. This makes for an increase of 24.09cases per 100,000 population in just one week.

Because FDOHhas moved to releasing COVID-19 data on a biweeklybasis, they did not release a COVID-19 report last week. However, theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention which releases data weeklyshowed that there were 26.91 cases per 100,000 population.

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The omicron variant of the novel coronavirus fueled the January surge. Now a variant of that variant, nicknamed omicron stealth, is on the rise in Florida and across the country.

The stealth omicron subvariant, dubbed BA.2, has quickly become the most common strainin the U.S., according to the latest data from the CDC.The new strain,now accounts for more than half (72.2%) of coronavirus infections in the country, according to the CDC. But while the cases are increasing, medical experts predictit will be milder than the surges that preceded it.

Based on new CDC transmission guidelines, the Space Coast is still a community of low transmission. Old CDC guidelineswould have categorized Brevard County as a community of substantial transmissiontransmission, whencases per 100,000 population are between 50 and 100and the positivity rate is between 8% and 10%.

The are other signs that Brevard County could be on the cusp of a new wave of infections:Deaths on the Space Coast also rose, according to a provisional CDC database.From March 26 to April 2, there were 17 COVID-19 related deaths compared totwo deaths during the previous week.

Despite the jump in cases,the vaccination rate remain stagnant,according to FDOHdata.And its a figure that may remain stagnant as the HRSA ran out of funds to reimburse healthcare providers for uninsured testsand vaccines. FDOH data shows that as of April 7 only 70% of eligible residents those ages five and older were vaccinated.

Testing, a tool used in tandem with vaccinations to monitor and control the spread of COVID-19, saw a decrease.

Last week's numbers: COVID-19 hospitalizations increase in Brevard County, though cases show a decline

According to CDC figures, there were 4,834 tests performed from March26 to April 1. Yet, the amount of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased from 2% last week to 4.8% from April 1 to April 7, according to FDOH data.This could also be an undercount because most at-home test kits do not get counted and those who may have signs and symptoms may choose not to take a COVID-19 test.

Statewide, FDOH data shows thatthere were COVID-19 511related deaths in the past two weeks. Since the start of the pandemic 73,538Floridians have died of COVID-19 as of April 7. Additionally, 3.8%Floridians tested positive for COVID-19, representingan infection rate of almost 51.6cases per 100,000 population. Statewide, vaccination rate remainsat 74%.

According to FDOH, of the eligible population in Florida, age group vaccination rates across the state are:

Nationwide, 69.9%of eligible Americans have been fully vaccinated. There have been 80,146,451COVID-19 cases and 981,748deaths nationwide since the start of the pandemic.

The following Brevard County Emergency Management Office-supported sites are available for COVID-19 testing.

Florida Department of Health-Brevard, 2555 Judge Fran Jamison Way, Viera; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.This is a walk-up site.Preregister at nomihealth.com.

Testing also is available to established or new Omni Healthcare patients at itsofficesin Brevard County. To book an appointment, patients can call theirOmni doctor's office.

Various other urgent-care centers, private physicians' offices and pharmacies also provide COVID-19 tests, and some retailers sell in-home test kits. Additionally, thewebsite http://www.211Brevard.orghas a list of sites offering testing.Some of those sites require reservations, while others allow walk-ins.

The Florida Department of Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines at three sites.

Residents also can get vaccinated at Omni Healthcare's offices, as well as at its walk-in vaccination clinic located in Suite 303 on the third floor of 1344 S. Apollo Blvd.in Melbourne, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.weekdays. Vaccinations also are available from 9 a.m. to noon in Suite 2C of Omni's 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. complex.

Walk-ins are accepted. Butappointments can be made by calling 321-802-5515 or by emailing the request and including a name and phone number toCOVID@OMNIhealthcare.com.

COVID-19 vaccines also are available at pharmacies at various local CVS, Publix, Sams Club, Walgreens, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores, as well as some urgent-care centers and physician offices. Check the individual site for appointment requirements and vaccine availability.

Amira Sweilem is the data reporter at FLORIDA TODAY.Contact Sweilemat 386-406-5648orasweilem@floridatoday.com.

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COVID-19 cases double over the course of a week on Space Coast - Florida Today