Nearly 2 Out Of 3 Coronavirus Cases In Florida Are Variants: USF

TAMPA, FL — Nearly two out of three coronavirus cases now being confirmed in Florida are variant strains of the virus, a University of South Florida public health expert reported to Hillsborough County Commissioners Wednesday.

Jason L. Salemi, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health, said this trend is worrisome because the variants are generally more contagious. In the past few weeks, Florida's positive rates have been increasing and Hillsborough County is outpacing the statewide percentage, he said.

• New cases statewide are 44 percent higher than four weeks ago. In Hillsborough, the number is 60 percent.
• Although increases in new cases were initially observed in people ages 18-49, recently there has been a rise in pediatric cases and in the age group of 65 and older.
• Hillsborough County residents account for one of every 13 new cases diagnosed in the state. Hillsborough is one of nine Florida counties where the positivity rate is currently above 10 percent.
• The current state average is 8 percent positivity.
• Testing is not driving the recent increase in cases.
• The number of people hospitalized also continues to increase.

Commissioners said the trend is difficult to grasp since more than 283,600 Hillsborough County residents are fully vaccinated and another 207,000 have received at least the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Salemi said it’s important to note that high community spread provides additional opportunities for the virus to mutate and migrate. In addition to getting vaccinated, safety precautions such as wearing face coverings while around others in public are still necessary.

With that, a majority of commissioners approved extending the state of local emergency enacted in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic through April 29.

The mandate that face coverings must be worn in indoor locations of businesses, with certain exceptions, remains in effect. Wearing face coverings in outdoor areas of bars and restaurants is strongly encouraged.

See related story: Pfizer First Doses Resume At Florida's Federal Vaccine Sites