Southwest Florida hospitals are watching COVID numbers inch up
Video: Naples Personal Training has exercise program for people with Parkinson’s
Naples Personal Training exercise specialist Lee Pinkham works with Bella Appelman, who has Parkinson’s disease, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in North Naples.
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What’s to blame for that run-down feeling of muscle soreness and congestion?
While you may want to rule out COVID-19, don’t.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID is on the rise in 39 states, including Florida.
Test positivity rates increased nationally to nearly 7% from 5% the week before. Hospital emergency room visits for COVID infections are increasing nationwide, according to the CDC.
Data collected by the state Department of Health and what medical professionals are seeing all point to infections ticking up.
While not alarming at the moment, that could change as summer goes on, experts say.
Both Lee Health and NCH, two hospital systems in Southwest Florida, are seeing more cases.
What do Lee, Collier County hospitals say?
“Lee Health System facilities, like many healthcare delivery systems across the nation, has seen a small but noticeable uptick in COVID positive patients seeking care,” Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, chief medical officer of the public hospital in Lee County, said in an email.
At NCH, a private nonprofit system in Collier County, there has been a slight increase this spring and that could keep up over summer, according to Christopher Raphael, administrative director of critical care.
COVID infections represented 36% of all laboratory confirmations in May at NCH, which is a jump from 28% in April, he said.
What do the Florida COVID numbers show?
The state Department of Health reinstated its weekly reporting of cases earlier this year.
Statewide infections for the week of June 14 stood at 8,927 cases, up from 6,568 cases for the same week in 2023.
In Lee County, there were 392 cases, while Collier had 210. Those counts are double what they were a year ago; Lee had 259 cases for the week ending June 16, 2023. Collier was at 92.
Florida’s cumulative so far this year is 195,793 cases. A year-to-date figure through June last year was not available. The total case count statewide last year was 583,014.
What about new COVID variants and vaccination?
New variants of the virus keep emerging and the CDC reports that the KP.3 strain accounts for 33% of infections nationwide, followed by the KP.2 strain at nearly 21%. Another strain, LB. 1, accounts for nearly 18% of infections.
The reasons why cases are rising in Florida can be tied to many factors, Lee Health’s Gonsenhauser said.
“COVID has historically demonstrated a summer spike possibly due to increased travel and people spending increased time indoors to escape the heat,” he said.
“Also, vaccine booster rates have declined considerably and the most recent strains KP.2, KP.3 and LB.1 have proven to be more easily spread than the dominant strains that preceded them,” he added.
Raphael, administrative director of critical care at NCH, agreed that travel over the spring and summer, and where people are prone to spending more time with others, helps explain why infections are increasing.
What is the latest vaccination update?
When it comes to Americans keeping up with COVID vaccine boosters, the numbers say that is not the case.
The CDC reports 23% of adults nationwide as of mid-May received a vaccination update since September. Nearly 42% of adults over 75 have kept up with the shots.
Roughly 14% of children age six months to 17 are up to date on their COVID vaccines.
On a positive note, Gonsenhauser said the recent trio of variants have not been shown to cause more serious infection.
Symptoms can include fever or chills; cough, sore throat, congestion, headache, muscle ache, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Some may experience a loss of taste or smell, brain “fog” and stomach upset.
How do I make sure I am up to date on vaccinations?
On June 27, the CDC issued an update on vaccinations for this fall and winter against COVID.
It recommends everyone 6 months of age and older receive an updated vaccine, whether or not they have ever been previously vaccinated.
The CDC points out the virus that causes COVID-19 is always changing and protection from vaccines declines over time.
“Receiving an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine can restore and enhance protection against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States,” the CDC said.
Dr. Debi Johnson is a medical expert and health journalist dedicated to promoting well-being. With a background in medicine, she offers evidence-based insights into health trends and wellness practices. Beyond her reporting, Dr. Debi enjoys hiking, yoga, and empowering others to lead healthier lives.
