Florida covid cases skyrocket, hospitalizations remain low

[PartySick 172,980]

Some potentially good news

~

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The omicron variant is spreading fast around Florida, yet there is some optimism about the severity of the variant.

According to numbers compiled by the State of Florida, between Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, there were 125,201 new cases of COVID-19, compared to 29,519 the previous week. About 13% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive during that week as well.

"There's likely more viral replication or copying that's occurring in people with the omicron variants versus previous variants," infectious disease specialist Dr. Mohammed Reza said. "And that kind of goes along with the fact that this is so much more contagious."

Reza believes the impact from new infections will be seen in the coming weeks.

“You're looking at that two to six weeks time period, after you start seeing lots of people becoming infected with this virus, because it takes that long if you're gonna require hospitalization," Dr. Reza said.

While those numbers are expected to rise, there is may be good news on the severity of the current spike in COVID-19.

First, the state reported that only 28 people died last week, eleven less than the number of deaths reported the previous week (39).

In addition, the Florida Hospital Association reported that despite the high number of cases, the number of patients requiring hospitalizations is well below the hospitalizations reported when the delta variant hit its peak.

The association reports 2,075 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, compared to 17,121 reported on Aug. 23, when delta reached its peak.

The Florida Hospital Association also said that 29% of impatient beds are available as are 31% of adult ICU beds. In August, the impatient bed availability was at 12.9% while adult ICU bed availability was at 4.7%.

“Some of the data is showing that people have milder symptoms and require less hospitalization with the omicron variant," Reza said.

"Get vaccinated, get boosters because we know and we've seen it time and time again that those are the protections that we need to fight off different variants," Dr. Reza said.

X

Tl;dr - even though we are SHATTERING case count records, hospitalizations remain low. While they're expected to rise (obviously, more cases = more sick people and covid cases need time to fester so today's high case counts could be high hospitalization rates in two or three weeks), it looks like this is tentative proof that omicron is a less severe than delta

But they're expecting Florida to peak in February with 150,000 cases a day (20% confirmed with tests) so that'll be fun 

Get your shots and mask up

[jimmytimestep 2,949]

7 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Some potentially good news

~

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The omicron variant is spreading fast around Florida, yet there is some optimism about the severity of the variant.

According to numbers compiled by the State of Florida, between Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, there were 125,201 new cases of COVID-19, compared to 29,519 the previous week. About 13% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive during that week as well.

"There's likely more viral replication or copying that's occurring in people with the omicron variants versus previous variants," infectious disease specialist Dr. Mohammed Reza said. "And that kind of goes along with the fact that this is so much more contagious."

Reza believes the impact from new infections will be seen in the coming weeks.

“You're looking at that two to six weeks time period, after you start seeing lots of people becoming infected with this virus, because it takes that long if you're gonna require hospitalization," Dr. Reza said.

While those numbers are expected to rise, there is may be good news on the severity of the current spike in COVID-19.

First, the state reported that only 28 people died last week, eleven less than the number of deaths reported the previous week (39).

In addition, the Florida Hospital Association reported that despite the high number of cases, the number of patients requiring hospitalizations is well below the hospitalizations reported when the delta variant hit its peak.

The association reports 2,075 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, compared to 17,121 reported on Aug. 23, when delta reached its peak.

The Florida Hospital Association also said that 29% of impatient beds are available as are 31% of adult ICU beds. In August, the impatient bed availability was at 12.9% while adult ICU bed availability was at 4.7%.

“Some of the data is showing that people have milder symptoms and require less hospitalization with the omicron variant," Reza said.

"Get vaccinated, get boosters because we know and we've seen it time and time again that those are the protections that we need to fight off different variants," Dr. Reza said.

X

Tl;dr - even though we are SHATTERING case count records, hospitalizations remain low. While they're expected to rise (obviously, more cases = more sick people and covid cases need time to fester so today's high case counts could be high hospitalization rates in two or three weeks), it looks like this is tentative proof that omicron is a less severe than delta

But they're expecting Florida to peak in February with 150,000 cases a day (20% confirmed with tests) so that'll be fun 

Get your shots and mask up

I am PRAYING super immunity is a real thing

at this point it seems too good to be true

[PartySick 172,980]

Just now, jimmytimestep said:

I am PRAYING super immunity is a real thing

at this point it seems too good to be true

Super immunity?

[HuffsAhoy 7,433]

Yaassed because if the news is this promising in a covid hot spot like FL, just imagine how good it will be elsewhere

[Chic 20,830]

Just got boosted yesterday 

[ThisGuyTony 35,108]

I’ve seen very, very long lines at COVID testing sites here in CO.  

But I keep reading that Omicron is more contagious but less likely to cause hospitalizations so that’s a plus.

[jimmytimestep 2,949]

7 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Super immunity?

https://news.ohsu.edu/2021/12/16/breakthrough-infections-generate-super-immunity-to-covid-19-study-suggests <3

[PartySick 172,980]

2 minutes ago, HuffsAhoy said:

Yaassed because if the news is this promising in a covid hot spot like FL, just imagine how good it will be elsewhere

I hope it stays semi-positive

High case counts are never a good thing 'cause there's still plenty of people who are vulnerable who are more and more likely to be exposed but at least if this trend continues, they'll have access to proper healthcare if they are infected.

[PartySick 172,980]

2 minutes ago, jimmytimestep said:

https://news.ohsu.edu/2021/12/16/breakthrough-infections-generate-super-immunity-to-covid-19-study-suggests <3

Oh, I got you

I'll stick with my double dose and booster though  I hope I never actually catch it

[jimmytimestep 2,949]

3 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Oh, I got you

I'll stick with my double dose and booster though  I hope I never actually catch it

I'm double dosed and boosted and got it. My hubz is in a show and the whole company tested positive. 

That said, I had NO symptoms. none. Grateful to have had my booster. And I didn't spread it, so that's good.

Honestly this whole new surge has really freaked me out...not in terms of that I'm afraid of dying, but moreso nowthat the whole pandemic is hyper politicized, i'm not sure what the best path is to move forward ethically, particularly for industries that require people in attendance, like live performance or manufacturing.

[Chlorine 47,976]

Florida covid cases skyrocket

Florida excelling at something. 

All joking aside this is promising news and it seems to be the case everywhere. 

Also read that having had Omicron will give protection against Delta, so Delta could well and truly be wiped out given how many people will get Omicron. 

[Guest]

I have a feeling a new variant after this will come but will be even more weaker and then the virus will become flu-like and we can take medication for it and move on with our lives 

[MadreMonster 2,584]

13 minutes ago, AnnaNicoleSmith said:

I have a feeling a new variant after this will come but will be even more weaker and then the virus will become flu-like and we can take medication for it and move on with our lives 

That’s always been the end result - let’s just hope that happens this year. But I’m guessing we are in for another year of this

[jimmytimestep 2,949]

15 minutes ago, AnnaNicoleSmith said:

I have a feeling a new variant after this will come but will be even more weaker and then the virus will become flu-like and we can take medication for it and move on with our lives 

i hope so

[SharkmanthaC 115,066]

34 minutes ago, ThisGuyTony said:

I’ve seen very, very long lines at COVID testing sites here in CO.  

But I keep reading that Omicron is more contagious but less likely to cause hospitalizations so that’s a plus.

It's like that everywhere in the US at least. My husband did a story (he's a reporter for the local news) on that today about how you can't get a test for like a week. And stores are sold out of the at home tests.