On Christmas and the day after, the state of Florida has reported more COVID cases than at any other time during the pandemic.Local infectious disease specialist Dr. Larry Bush said it’s proof that the omicron variant is spreading across the state.“Even from asymptomatic people, people who’ve been vaccinated. It hits everybody,” Bush said.What you need to know: COVID-19 in Florida: Cases, vaccinations, treatment sites and moreThat’s evident from the sharp increase in cases reported recently in Florida. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Florida reported 1,948 cases on Dec. 12.Since then, the case totals have risen exponentially. On Dec. 14, 4,104 cases were reported.Then 10,284 on Dec. 17; 16,049 on Dec. 20; 26,811 on Dec. 22.And then a record one day total of 31,758 on Dec. 23. That was followed with a new record of 32,850 on Dec. 24. The latest: WPBF 25 News coverage on COVID-19Bush believes the increased use of at-home COVID tests means there are even more cases out there that the CDC doesn’t know about.“Quite a few people are being diagnosed at home, are not sick enough to go to a hospital or to an urgent care,” Bush said. “Therefore, they’re not counted.”And Bush said he believes the cases will only keep climbing.He said he expects daily totals in the near future to reach 150,000 cases in Florida.However, despite the increased cases, the percentage of hospitalizations and fatalities has remained fairly constant. Bush said that’s because omicron cases have so far been far less severe than previous variants.Precautions being taken: Assisted living facilities, businesses put new COVID-19 measures into place amid spikeHe believes that’s because while the vaccine won’t stop someone from getting infected, it will stop them from needing to be hospitalized.“If you’re not vaccinated, I would have a lot of discomfort in being out in public right now, because it is very likely you are going to be infected,” Bush said. “And how well you’re going to do without a vaccine is yet to be seen.”That’s why Bush said he tells his patients to get vaccinated and get their booster shots.He also advises people to avoid large crowds and wear a mask when they go out.“I’m not saying mandate shutdowns or mandate masking,” Bush said. “I’m just saying let’s make common sense a little bit more common than it’s been lately.”
On Christmas and the day after, the state of Florida has reported more COVID cases than at any other time during the pandemic.
Local infectious disease specialist Dr. Larry Bush said it’s proof that the omicron variant is spreading across the state.
“Even from asymptomatic people, people who’ve been vaccinated. It hits everybody,” Bush said.
What you need to know: COVID-19 in Florida: Cases, vaccinations, treatment sites and more
That’s evident from the sharp increase in cases reported recently in Florida. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Florida reported 1,948 cases on Dec. 12.
Since then, the case totals have risen exponentially. On Dec. 14, 4,104 cases were reported.
Then 10,284 on Dec. 17; 16,049 on Dec. 20; 26,811 on Dec. 22.
And then a record one day total of 31,758 on Dec. 23. That was followed with a new record of 32,850 on Dec. 24.
The latest: WPBF 25 News coverage on COVID-19
Bush believes the increased use of at-home COVID tests means there are even more cases out there that the CDC doesn’t know about.
“Quite a few people are being diagnosed at home, are not sick enough to go to a hospital or to an urgent care,” Bush said. “Therefore, they’re not counted.”
And Bush said he believes the cases will only keep climbing.
He said he expects daily totals in the near future to reach 150,000 cases in Florida.
However, despite the increased cases, the percentage of hospitalizations and fatalities has remained fairly constant. Bush said that’s because omicron cases have so far been far less severe than previous variants.
Precautions being taken: Assisted living facilities, businesses put new COVID-19 measures into place amid spike
He believes that’s because while the vaccine won’t stop someone from getting infected, it will stop them from needing to be hospitalized.
“If you’re not vaccinated, I would have a lot of discomfort in being out in public right now, because it is very likely you are going to be infected,” Bush said. “And how well you’re going to do without a vaccine is yet to be seen.”
That’s why Bush said he tells his patients to get vaccinated and get their booster shots.
He also advises people to avoid large crowds and wear a mask when they go out.
“I’m not saying mandate shutdowns or mandate masking,” Bush said. “I’m just saying let’s make common sense a little bit more common than it’s been lately.”