Florida COVID count rises again, with more than 10,000 new cases per day

MIAMI – More than 73,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported last week in Florida, more than three times the number of new cases from two weeks ago.

The state’s positivity rate for new cases has also jumped to 15.1%, continuing a steady increase over the past month that worries infectious disease experts, hospitals and local leaders.

“It’s going to get to a point where we can’t take care of all these unvaccinated people anymore,” said Dr Joshua Lenchus, chief medical officer of Broward Health. “Variations will continue to occur. More people will die.

Florida’s new cases and positivity rate have both increased each of the past five weeks, according to the latest data released by the state’s health department on Friday. The state reports 78 COVID-19-related deaths in the past week.

The 73,199 new cases last week equates to an average of 10,457 per day. Five weeks ago, that’s about the number of new cases the state has seen in a week. Miami-Dade, the most populous county in the state, has by far the most new cases with 11,104.

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The latest data reflects the period July 16-22. Florida ended its daily COVID-19 reports last month and now publishes weekly metrics on Friday. (The full report is available at the bottom of this page.)

State data does not illustrate what percentage of new cases are from people who have been vaccinated, but major South Florida hospital systems tell Local 10 News that more than 90% of COVID-positive patients admitted to the their facilities did not receive vaccines.

[ALSO SEE: How many COVID-19 patients in South Florida were vaccinated?]

Across the Jackson Health System, 171 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 – up from 122 a week ago. Chief medical officer Dr Hany Atallah said that although the vast majority of these patients are not vaccinated, there has been an increase in the number of vaccinated patients with weakened immune systems, such as those who have suffered organ transplants.

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“We have seen an increase in the number of our immunosuppressive patients entering the hospital who have been vaccinated and are also infected,” Atallah said.

Lenchus said Broward Health is seeing a similar trend.

Florida for two consecutive weeks has accounted for one in five cases nationwide, according to the White House.

“I think people are visiting Florida, so I think combined with unmasking the more crowded bars and restaurants, I think that’s probably led to a significant part of that,” Atallah said. “It’s my suspicion.”

The White House noted Thursday that vaccinations had started to increase in some states where COVID-19 cases were on the rise, including Florida.

National Coronavirus Coordinator Jeff Zients said several states with the highest proportions of new infections have seen residents get vaccinated at higher rates than the nation as a whole, with Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Nevada cited as examples.

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However, Florida reported 245,954 doses of the vaccine administered this week, nearly 10,000 fewer than the week before.

Of Florida’s eligible population (ages 12 and older), 60% of people are vaccinated, according to the state. This is a percentage point higher than a week ago.

Miami-Dade (76%), Broward (68%), Monroe (69%) and Palm Beach (64%) counties all have higher vaccination rates than the state average.

Republican leaders have been pushing noticeably to get their party members vaccinated against COVID-19 in recent days. A recent ABC News poll illustrated the political divide between those vaccinated: 86% Democrats, 45% Republicans.

Lenchus told Local 10 that several COVID-19 patients they treat have expressed regret for not getting the shot or wearing masks at large gatherings.

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With the Rolling Loud Music Festival bringing tens of thousands of hip-hop fans to South Florida this weekend, he’s issuing a common sense warning.

“If you’re going to this concert and you’re not vaccinated,” Lenchus said, “you’re really rolling the dice if you’re going to be there without a mask.”

For more information on where COVID-19 vaccines are available in South Florida, Click here.

SEE THIS WEEK’S FULL REPORT BELOW: