Briefs

Volusia’s COVID-19 cases are up; officials await vaccine

New cases continue to be attributed to infections within households.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Cases of COVID-19 are rising in Volusia County, and local health officials are asking the public to not give in to “COVID fatigue” and take extra care if choosing to travel over the upcoming holidays.

“As we approach Christmas and New Year’s, it’s now more important that we continue to follow those core safety measures,” said Kevin Captain, county director of community information, during a news briefing on Friday, Dec. 18.

Volusia’s total case count is at 20,392 as of Tuesday, Dec. 22, and a total of 408 people have died. The positivity rate has ranged between 6.5% and 9.3% in the last week, according to state data. Holly Smith, communications manager for the Department of Health in Volusia County, said at the briefing that close to 1,300 new cases had been reported in the past week alone.

“We have not seen daily numbers like this since the summer high surge that we had in July and August,” Smith said.

Many of these new cases are attributed to household infections, though some have been linked to gatherings of multiple households on Thanksgiving, she explained. If individuals are seeing mild symptoms such as a runny nose, dry throat or cough, they should not assume they have the common cold.

Though the recommendation is not to travel this holiday season, Smith said that if people choose to do so, they should plan on getting tested one to three days before they travel, and then be tested again three to five days upon their return.

As vaccine distribution begins nationwide, Volusia County awaits its turn. Peter Springer, county operational medical director, said the health department, county, hospital stakeholders as well as first responders are working together on a plan to offer the vaccine to the public.

“Even if you believe you’re not at risk for significant side effects of the virus, I urge you to consider getting vaccinated because there are elderly people in our community, there are people who have co-morbid condition, that really rely on the herd immunity portion of this vaccine,” Springer said.

The state-run free COVID-19 testing site at the City Gym, located at 1000 Live Oak St. in New Smyrna Beach, will remain open daily through Jan. 31.

The site offers both self-swab rapid antigen and PCR testing. It operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The site will close on Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas holiday, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.

Ormond in the Pines to receive COVID-19 vaccine

The two-part vaccine is made possible thanks to a partnership with CVS.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

For the residents of Ormond in the Pines, an Ormond Beach assisted living facility, there is an end sight to the restrictions in place for the COVID-19 pandemic. In a couple of weeks, all of them, along with the facility’s staff and caregivers, will be able to get the vaccine.

All Holiday Retirement Communities will be among the first assisted living communities in the U.S. to receive the vaccine, according to a press release. Thanks to a partnership with CVS, there will be an on-site clinic for the administration of the vaccine, which requires two doses several weeks apart. The vaccine will administered at no cost, and all seven of Holiday’s communities have been approved to receive it in the first round of the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.

Michelle Hanner, executive director of Ormond in the Pines, said they are excited and ready to go. A vaccine means their residents will be able to enjoy open dining again safely, but most of all, they’ll be able to interact with their families.

She’s hoping that by having the clinic on-site, more residents

Courtesy photo Ormond in the Pines will among the first assisted living communities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

and staff members will register to take the vaccine. She’s not sure yet whether they will receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine; it all depends on which CVS chooses.

Hanner didn’t think the vaccine would come so soon. It’s a pleasant surprise, she said.

“Our community is absolutely excited to be the frontrunner in assisted living taking the vaccination,” Hanner said. “We’re just looking forward to this next phase in the pandemic and the end in sight.”

Holiday Retirement CEO Lilly Donohue expressed in the press release that hope was finally here.

“For the past nine months, I’ve been truly awestruck by the resilience, dedication, and adaptability of our residents and associates, and we’re so grateful that they will be among the first group being vaccinated in this historic milestone and what hopefully will help end the pandemic,” she said.

AdventHealth begins to vaccinate health care workers

Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines began Monday, Dec. 21, at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, joining AdventHealth Orlando and AdventHealth Celebration as distribution sites for frontline health care workers in AdventHealth’s Central Florida division.

“This is a major turning point in the fight against this pandemic,” said Dr. Dilip Arcot, an intensivist at AdventHealth Daytona Beach and one of the first to receive the vaccine at the facility. “The fight against COVID-19 has been long and hard, but if everyone gets a vaccine when they are able, we will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Pfizer vaccine is being distributed to team members at all three current AdventHealth distribution sites. A supply of the Moderna vaccine is expected soon, which could lead to additional distribution sites.

“We’re thrilled to be able to add this additional layer of protection to our frontline team members who have been working tirelessly to help keep this community safe,” said Dr. Joe Smith, chief medical officer of AdventHealth Daytona Beach.

None of the vaccines are available to the general public yet because of limited supply, with some estimates predicting that it will be more available in the spring.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

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