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SIR ORANGE, Fla. – Two visitors to Orange County from other parts of Florida have tested positive for the more infectious variant in COVID-19 in the UK, according to Dr. Raul Pino of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County.
He said the two recent cases, one of which was discovered Thursday, are no indication that the variant is spreading in the Orlando area.
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“That’s not to say there has to be a variety out there because it’s ubiquitous, but we don’t have strong evidence that it’s in the county’s residents at this stage. We couldn’t find it. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, ”said Pino.
Both patients were from Broward and Seminole counties but it is not known if they were tourists or why they were in Orange County when they tested positive. It is also not known if they had traveled abroad or been in contact with someone who did.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence to suggest that the UK variant, first discovered in September 2020, is more lethal or responds differently. to the vaccines available.
In fact, Pino said the best protection against any species of the virus is to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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“The pharmaceutical companies are analyzing and the evidence shows that vaccines are still effective, as of now, although we only have the versions in the UK now, South Africa we also have and then Brazil and who knows what else might pop, ”Pino said. “So anyone who has access to the vaccine should have the opportunity to be vaccinated. The concern is that it may continue and some of the mutations may be counterproductive and that is always a cause for concern. ”
Although the South African variant was first discovered in the U.S. Thursday, it was not found in Florida and the Brazilian variant is not found in America at all.
The latest figures show that 92 cases of the COVID-19 variant were detected in Florida, making the Solar State the worst in the country along with California.
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Just over a week ago Florida had 46 cases and earlier this month that figure was 19.
Overall, Pino said that even as the county has surpassed a total of 100,000 diseases since March, the numbers appear to be improving.
“We have seen a decline in hospitalization, ICU bed use, ER visits and individuals on air conditioners and as such, the data is beginning to show signs of overcoming it. It’s important, more than ever, not to let your guard down, even if we have the vaccine, ”said Pino.
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