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Old 07-29-2021, 11:14 AM
 
8,266 posts, read 4,671,045 times
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Florida sees surge in demand for COVID testing

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/med...ing/ar-AAMFLx6

State data shows Florida saw a 59-percent jump in the number of people showing up to get tested this month — on average around 69,000 people a day.

Many of the state-run testing sites available over the last year are now closed, leaving local pharmacies and urgent care clinics struggling to keep up with demand.

On Wednesday, we found online appointments for chains like CVS and Walgreens filling up fast, especially for rapid tests that give back the same-day results.

The walk-in wait time for COVID testing at an urgent care clinic in South Tampa was more than two hours Tuesday.

If demands continue to increase, Roberts says the state would likely step in.

“The public health system will respond, all be it slowly if we do start to see the demand overwhelming pharmacies,” she said

“I have concerns people may not get tested and then I also have concerns that people won’t take care of themselves,” she said.

And getting a test isn’t just for you. Roberts says positive or not the test results provide valuable information to the state and local health departments.

“We do want to know who is negative," Roberts said. "We need to know what the prevalence is. Who does and doesn’t have it out of the population and we want to keep following that data.”

And if you’re unable to get in for a test at your local pharmacy or health care center Roberts says you can also consider an at-home test for quick results.

“Some of them aren’t going to be as reliable as the PCR test the health department does, but it’s better than nothing so I would encourage you if you want to go that route and if that’s your only option to go ahead go ahead and get that test," she said.
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Old 07-29-2021, 11:20 AM
 
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COVID-19 rates a worry as 1 million head for Iowa State Fair

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/co...air/ar-AAMFRZF

With coronavirus cases rising throughout Iowa and around the nation, health experts are becoming increasingly worried about next month’s Iowa State Fair, which will bring more than 1 million people to Des Moines from around the state, including many from counties with low vaccination rates and increasing prevalence of the disease.

Iowa’s biggest annual event comes at a time when giant summer events will draw crowds throughout the nation, including in states that are experiencing more virus infections due to low vaccination rates and growth of the delta variant. They range from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota to the Minnesota State Fair, which typically draws more than 2 million people.

In Iowa, officials have encouraged people to get vaccinated, but the state's Republican-majority legislature and governor have blocked local governments from imposing vaccination or mask requirements, so there will be no limits on who can attend the fair when the event begins its 11-day run on Aug. 12.
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Old 07-29-2021, 11:26 AM
 
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Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s protection against severe disease holds steady over six months

https://www.theverge.com/platform/am...y-drop-booster

The Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine’s protection against severe cases of the disease holds steady after six months, according to new data released by the companies. But its ability to protect people from developing any symptoms of the disease dropped over time, the analysis showed.

Overall, the vaccine was 91 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19 over six months. It was the most protective in the stretch starting seven days after the second dose and running for two months: in that window, it was 96 percent effective. Its efficacy then dropped around 6 percent every two months — to 90 percent between months two and four after vaccination, and to around 84 percent between months four and six after vaccination.

There wasn’t a similar drop in efficacy against severe cases of COVID-19 — defined as cases where blood oxygen levels drop below 93 percent and heart and respiratory rate are elevated. The vaccine’s efficacy against those severe cases stayed high at 97 percent for the entire six-month stretch after people got their shots.

The data was published as a preprint by Pfizer and has not been reviewed by outside scientists. It was released on the day of the company’s earnings call, where it also released internal data showing that a third dose of the vaccine could boost levels of antibodies against the Delta variant of the virus.
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Old 07-29-2021, 11:38 AM
 
8,266 posts, read 4,671,045 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wondermint2 View Post
Vaccinations have picked up a bit recently - probably because of the news about the severity of this wave. We'll see if this continues - however IMO at this juncture it's probably not enough yet to have much of an impact.
Vaccinations increase in Florida amid fears about rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/...nt/5415208001/

After steadily dropping for months, COVID-19 vaccinations are on the rise again in Florida, a trend experts say likely is driven by fears surrounding a new wave of infections and hospitalizations.

In the week ending Wednesday, some 249,750 Floridians received their first vaccine dose, a USA TODAY analysis of CDC data shows. That number's up about 59% in just two weeks, from 157,350 first-dose vaccines administered in the week ending July 14.

The improved number is still a faint echo of Florida's best week in mid-April, when about 943,000 first doses were administered, but it's a welcome sign and one that's to be expected when infections spike, experts say.

“I compare this to other times that we’ve had surges," said Cindy Prins, an epidemiology professor at the University of Florida. "We had a surge last summer. These correct themselves sometimes because people get worried and scared about what’s going on."
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Old 07-29-2021, 12:16 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlsAndDogs View Post
Who cares about daily numbers?, The only really important facts are the number of deaths, and they are minuscule. The 7 day average in the whole country is 333!! For 350 million people!! I bet there are more people died during these 7 days from slipping in their bathtub! But if you want to continue “the sky is falling” routine, knock yourself out. For reasonable people the pandemic is over.
The lower death count is proof that the vaccines are helping. Also deaths lag new cases by about 4 weeks so expect deaths to be on a rising trend also - just not to the extent as previous waves.

I bet if you asked the 1,288 people hospitalized in Florida on Saturday with Covid-19 they wouldn't tell you the pandemic is over. This surpassed the previous Florida peak in January, even as older state residents fare better.

Also there are more people experiencing complications such as "long covid" - they might not die but this is certainly real for them.

This belief among some that the pandemic is over - is exactly why cases and hospitalizations continue rising. Those that believe the pandemic is over are the ones less likely to be cautious.

I'm not a fear mongerer - just presenting the factual stats. I also was almost perfect in predicting the top of previous waves - and then I gave full reporting to the fact that the stats were declining. I'm not going to sugar coat things and say everything's fine now when cases and hospitalizations are rising at record speeds.

Last edited by wondermint2; 07-29-2021 at 12:26 PM..
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Old 07-29-2021, 01:44 PM
 
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Florida officials defy DeSantis as infections spike

https://www.politico.com/states/flor...santis-1389178

Local officials across Florida are bucking Gov. Ron DeSantis and his anti-mandate coronavirus strategy as infections soar in the state and nation. They’re imposing vaccine and mask requirements for government workers and even declaring states of emergency. In a sign of how worrisome the new Covid-19 surge is, Disney World is ordering all guests over 2-years-old to wear masks indoors at its Florida theme park, regardless of vaccination status.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, husband to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Rep. Val Demings, has declared a state of emergency and is requiring the county’s 4,200 nonunion workers to get vaccinated by the end of September. Leon County announced it’s also imposing a vaccine requirement for county workers. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava mandated masks at all county facilities. And in Broward County, school board officials are keeping in place mask mandates for students in the next school year despite DeSantis’ vocal opposition.
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Old 07-29-2021, 02:35 PM
 
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Story in today’s Google list that Englishwoman traveling in the US in AZ got Pfizer vax despite already having both vaxs required in UK…as in “more is better”…
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Old 07-29-2021, 03:14 PM
 
8,266 posts, read 4,671,045 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wondermint2 View Post
Florida officials defy DeSantis as infections spike
IMO the title of this article (see below) is a bit misleading. Beach Bistro is asking it's patrons if they're vaccinated - but not actually requiring any proof. So it's an honor system - good luck with that....

Restaurant News: Patrons must now be vaccinated to dine at this Sarasota-Manatee destination

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/...ed/5419081001/

One of the most famous waterfront restaurants in Florida is now requiring its patrons to have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Beach Bistro, an Anna Maria Island icon on Holmes Beach that opened in 1985, emailed a newsletter to customers last week noting that its staff had reached a vaccination rate of 100% and asked that guests do the same.

On Thursday, the restaurant's owners issued a press release regarding the new stipulation, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first of its kind in Sarasota-Manatee.

"Beach Bistro will now require its patrons to be vaccinated, given the dangerous surging of delta coronavirus and the Beach Bistro’s deep commitment to safety for both staff and guests," reads the statement sent to the Herald-Tribune.

In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning vaccine passports and "blocking any business or government entity from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination," reads the news release.

"DeSantis is a bonehead," said Sean Murphy, founder and owner of Beach Bistro along with wife Susan Timmins. "He says we’re not allowed to require proof of vaccination. At this point, though, there is no adequate accepted proof of vaccination. So, we’re asking our patrons to be vaccinated but not requiring proof of vaccination."

Last edited by wondermint2; 07-29-2021 at 03:25 PM..
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Old 07-30-2021, 07:10 AM
 
37,315 posts, read 59,878,910 times
Reputation: 25341
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/30/h...gtype=Homepage

As contagious as chicken pox is not something to ignore nor will it dissipate easily…
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Old 07-30-2021, 10:11 AM
 
8,266 posts, read 4,671,045 times
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital sees surge in COVID patients; fewer than 10% are vaccinated

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/...ts/5413848001/

As Sarasota Memorial Hospital staff find themselves in the midst of another COVID-19 surge due to the Delta variant, Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Fiorica said Thursday that each event has been a little bit different.

“The difference this time is that it’s predominantly unvaccinated patients that are sick,” he said on a recorded video conversation. “They’re younger patients. There are a lot of emotions and a lot of fatigue at the same time.”

The hospital is now seeing 30- and 40-year-old patients rather than an older population with comorbidities and medical issues.

“Now we’re dealing with healthy, young patients,” he said.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital had 115 COVID-positive patients and 29 in the ICU, as of Friday. Both numbers are dramatic increases from a month ago, when SMH had just four COVID-positive patients.

Fiorica said the jump in just a month is jarring. There were no COVID patients in the ICU about a month ago, he said, and now SMH has three dedicated COVID ICU pods.

“We definitely are in pandemic mode right now,” he said. “We have capacity, we have ventilators, we have equipment. We’re doing good, but we’re certainly in a pandemic mode.”

The vast majority of COVID patients in the ICU are unvaccinated, Fiorica said. And that holds true for the total number of COVID patients in the hospital. Out of just under 190 COVID-positive patients at SMH last month, 17 of them were vaccinated. Of the vaccinated patients, most either had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic.

More than 97% of COVID-positive people entering hospitals in the United States right now are unvaccinated, based on mid-July comments from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

Earlier this week, Manatee Memorial Hospital and SMH both limited visitors due to COVID concerns. Some Florida hospitals have opted to cancel elective surgeries because of the surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations.

Fiorica said that Sarasota Memorial is “not there yet” but noted that leaders continue to monitor “daily and weekly.”
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