COVID19 Update By The Numbers

ALACHUA COUNTY – The world remains in the grip of the COVID Pandemic, with over three million cases worldwide and 213,824 deaths as of April 28. The United States has one-third of all cases, with over a million confirmed infections and 58,412 dead.

Over a period of three months, people watched their lives and routines change. Social activities involving any group greater than 10 disappeared, schools closed their doors and many work places shut down causing 26.5 million people to lose their jobs. Throughout the nation, the most effective way to slow the spread was to self-quarantine, staying at home while only going out for essential errands and even then, staying at least six feet from anyone else.

But the social isolation has brought about negative effects as well. Besides the economic toll, many people are having a hard time dealing with the stress and constant close quarters by families for an extended period of time.

Some states and the Federal government want to start reopening the nation, but if not done in steps and in conjunction with increased testing and scientific development, reopening could cause a resurgence, which could lead to a wider infection spread, higher death rate and a longer quarantine.

The Federal government has suggested a three-phase reopening based on declining infection rates and increased testing, but has also left it up to each state to determine when it is safe to do so. This has led to a wide range of steps by different governors. Some, such as Georgia's Bryan Kemp and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman are trying to open as soon as they can, ignoring much of the first two phases and advice from medical experts. Others are taking a more cautious and measured approach, and each state is forming their own plan.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is announcing his plan to begin Phase 1on April 30, possibly beginning as early as May 1 when the three-week-old state lock down expires. This is also the date President Trump has referenced several times, although most medical experts are concerned it may be too soon.

Phase 1 is not much different than the current guidelines. All groups over 10 are still prohibited, schools and bars will remain closed. However, larger venues like restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and churches can reopen as long as they adhere to health and distancing standards.

“I think for Florida, going from where we are now to Phase 1 is not a very big leap,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to approach it in a very measured, thoughtful and data-driven way, and I think that’s what most of the folks throughout the state are looking for.”

Florida ranked 8^th as to number of cases in the United States. On Tuesday morning, April 28, Florida had 32,846 cases, 1,171 deaths, and 5,222 hospitalizations. While the cases continue to increase, public health experts say Florida has successfully reined in the coronavirus outbreak and is ready to slowly start reopening if certain public health measures are kept in place to prevent the virus from spreading again, and needs to quickly increase its testing. To date, Florida has tested 357,075 individuals, which is about one for every 60 people. The majority of the cases have been concentrated in Southeast Florida.

Out of the 32,846 cases in Florida, 1,049 are in North Central Florida, with the State confirming 255 cases in Alachua County. Alachua County has the most cases of the counties in the North Central Florida region. Out of 255 cases, 100 are men and 144 are women and range in age from two – 94. Hospitalization has been required in 44 percent of all cases and two people in Alachua County have died from the COVID-19 virus. However, the death rate for Alachua County is less than 1 percent while the state average is 4 percent.

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