COVID hospitalizations keep Tampa Bay on high alert

Florida’s COVID-19 infections continued to fall this week, with 6,243 cases reported per day on average. That’s down 16% from the prior week. Hospitalizations continued to fall as well — down 8% in the last week to 991 confirmed COVID-19 patients on Friday.

Much of the state has been downgraded to a “medium” risk of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But risk remains elevated in the Tampa Bay area.

Federal health officials still recommend wearing a well-fitting mask in public indoor spaces in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee and Hernando counties.

Updated versions of the Pfizer and Moderns vaccines, tailored to better match the recent omicron variants of the COVID-19 virus, are expected to expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Both companies asked federal regulators this week to authorize the modified versions of the booster vaccine, according to the Associated Press. A previous version of the updated vaccine modified to fit the earlier BA.1 version of the virus had limited success.

Overall numbers

43,703: Number of cases reported in Florida over the most recent seven-day period from Aug. 19-25.

6,243: Average cases a day during that time period last week, down 16% from the prior week.

6,998,561: Total number of cases recorded in Florida.

551: Number of deaths reported in the past week.

79,568: Total pandemic deaths in Florida.

Vaccinations

25,319: Vaccinations (first or second doses) administered in the past week, down 16% compared to the previous week.

81%: Total Florida population that is at least partially vaccinated.

68%: Total Florida population that is fully vaccinated.

79%: Total U.S. population that is at least partially vaccinated.

67%: Total U.S. population that is fully vaccinated.

11,718: Booster doses administered in Florida in the last week, down 22% compared to the previous week.

28%: Total Florida population that is boosted.

33%: Total U.S. population that is boosted.

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Positivity rates, by state and area county

18.7%: Florida, down from 20% last week.

21%: Manatee

20.9%: Hernando

19.5%: Citrus

18.8%: Polk

16.8%: Pasco

15.9%: Hillsborough

13%: Pinellas

Hospitalizations

3,193: Florida hospitalizations, down 10% compared to the prior week.

991: Tampa Bay admissions, down 8% compared to the prior week.

Local cases

9,870: Cases in Tampa Bay, up 5% compared to the prior week.

1,286,583: Total cases in Tampa Bay to date.

96: Deaths in Tampa Bay.

16,693: Total deaths in Tampa Bay to date.

• • •

How to get tested

Florida: The Department of Health has a list of test sites.

The nation: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can help you find a testing site.

• • •

How to get vaccinated

The COVID-19 vaccine is being administered at clinics, doctors’ offices, public health offices and retail pharmacies. Here’s how to find a site near you:

Find a site: Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites in your ZIP code.

More help: Call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline.

Phone: 800-232-0233. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.

TTY: 888-720-7489

Disability Information and Access Line: Call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org.

• • •

More coronavirus coverage

SYMPTOMS: Think you might have COVID-19? Here’s a guide to symptoms and treatments.

CHILDREN: Babies and toddlers can now get vaccinated. Here are the answers to your questions.

WARNING: How the CDC’s COVID-19 warning system fails Tampa Bay and Florida.

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