Florida becomes COVID's U.S. epicenter

| 7/27/2021

Florida becomes COVID's U.S. epicenter

Coronavirus cases have tripled in the past two weeks in Florida and there’s no sign the resurgent pandemic will slow down. There were 73,119 new infections reported between July 16 and Thursday, according to the latest seven-day report released by the state on Friday. That’s an average of more than 10,000 infections per day, a number not seen since early February. It’s also the highest increase in cases since the first wave of infections in June 2020. More from Florida Today, the Tampa Bay Times and the News Service of Florida.

Falling immunization numbers amid pandemic may threaten children’s school year

State law requires that all children receive immunizations that protect against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and other diseases to attend child care centers or schools. Across the state, rates for the vaccines required for children to enter classrooms and child care are down. That could be a problem for families that opted to wait because of COVID-19. [Source: Health News Florida]

Doctors worry memory problems after COVID may set stage for Alzheimer's

Some patients who have had COVID-19 develop symptoms resembling early Alzheimer's. Researchers are trying to figure out whether these people are more likely to develop the disease itself. What scientists have found so far is concerning. For example, PET scans taken before and after a person develops COVID-19 suggest that the infection can cause changes that overlap those seen in Alzheimer's. And genetic studies are finding that some of the same genes that increase a person's risk for getting severe COVID-19 also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's. [Source: NPR ]

Red tide uptick spurs respiratory warning at Florida beaches

People may experience respiratory problems because of a persistent bloom of toxic red tide off Florida's Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said Friday. The service issued a “beach hazards statement” affecting the oceanfront and bayside shores in Pinellas County from 11:30 a.m. Friday through at least 10 p.m. Saturday. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. “People with asthma, emphysema or any chronic lung disease may be more sensitive,” the NWS statement said. “Irritation may vary by beach and throughout the day.” [Source: AP]

Need a healthcare job? Medical sector leads Southwest Florida economy in hiring amid the pandemic

A worker shortage remains a universal, nagging concern shared by Bradenton-area employers as the economy gains steam from the worst days of the pandemic. Help Wanted signs seem to be everywhere for restaurant workers, A/C techs, tow truck drivers, convenience store clerks, screen printers. Most concerning is the critical shortage of healthcare workers. [Source: Bradenton Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› The trends driving boom in Northeast Florida health care projects [Jacksonville Daily Record]
In-migration, an aging population and a shift to satellite operations account for the more than 20 planned or active health care projects in the Northeast Florida market. Those projects include full-service and specialty hospitals, outpatient clinics, primary care offices and free-standing emergency centers. Some are new to the market, such as Encompass Health’s rehabilitation hospital in Southside Quarter. Other developments are from long-standing Jacksonville systems such as Baptist Health.

› Opioid settlement will bring up to $1.6 billion to Florida [News Service of Florida]
Florida is slated to receive as much as $1.6 billion in multistate legal settlements with three pharmaceutical distributors and one drug manufacturer stemming from the opioid epidemic, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Wednesday. Florida was one of 14 states that negotiated the agreements with distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson and manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.

› COVID vaccinations lag among Central Florida first responders as agencies report hesitancy [Orlando Sentinel]
More than a week after a COVID-19 outbreak at Orlando’s 911 call center, the majority of Central Florida’s biggest law enforcement and fire agencies say they don’t keep track of how many first responders are inoculated against the virus — and those that do keep track report average-to-low vaccination rates.

› Nonprofit CEO rallies for award ceremony and drive-thru parade to salute 'frontliners and healthcare heroes' [WPTV]
Last spring, the state reported it's COVID-19 case and over a year later with the new variant some workers haven't slowed down. In response, a South Florida nonprofit organization plans to honor Palm Beach County’s top frontliners and healthcare heroes on August 29.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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