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Tag: CDC

COVID-19 cases reach all-time high

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Community News, Health.

New COVID-19 cases in both Florida and Manatee County surpassed previous record highs last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Reduce your risk

  • Get a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and
  • Avoid the Three Cs:
    • Closed Spaces. Avoid closed spaces with poor ventilation that could allow contagious droplets to linger in the air.
    • Crowded Places. Avoid crowded places with many people nearby; the greater the number of individuals in an area, the greater the chances of COVID-19 spreading from person-to-person.
    • Close-Contact Settings. Avoid close-range conversations and stay at least 6 feet from others.

Individuals over the age of 65 and those with underlying conditions are at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19 and should avoid crowds and minimize contact outside the home.

Testing and vaccination sites

Free COVID-19 testing (both PCR and rapid testing) and vaccinations (Moderna) are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Palmetto Bus Station, 1802 Eighth Ave. W. in Palmetto from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays. No appointment is necessary.

Free testing is also available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. Rapid testing will be provided. PCR testing will be provided only to symptomatic patients who test negative on the rapid test.

Visitors are asked to bring proof of Florida residency such as a driver’s license or utility bill with a Florida address. For more information, call 941-242-6646.

Vaccinations are also available at CVS, Publix, Walgreens, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores.

Source: Florida Department of Health, CDC

WHO, CDC agree face masks vital to reduce COVID-19

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Community News, Health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reversed its stance on face masks, now agreeing with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), saying masks should be worn in public to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

New information shows masks can provide “a barrier for potentially infectious droplets,” according to the organization, which previously said there was not enough evidence to say that healthy people should wear masks.

“In light of evolving evidence, the WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments,” WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday.

Choose the right mask fabric

 

The WHO recommends a minimum of three layers of non-stretch fabric for non-medical masks, constructed as follows:

– an innermost layer of cotton or cotton blends;

– an outermost layer of polypropylene, polyester or their blends, which may limit external contamination from penetration through to the wearer’s nose and mouth;

– a middle layer of synthetic non-woven material such as polypropylene or a cotton layer which may enhance filtration or retain droplets.

 

Source: World Health Organization

 

According to the CDC, a “significant portion of individuals with coronavirus” do not experience symptoms. As a result, these individuals can unknowingly spread the virus to those around them. Cloth face coverings can help prevent those who may have COVID-19 and not know it from spreading the virus, as well as keep healthy people from inhaling it.

The CDC continues to urge people to remain at home as much as possible and practice social distancing, remaining 6 feet away from all others to help prevent spread of COVID-19.

WHO and the CDC each have links showing the proper way to put on, wear and remove a face covering.

Additional prevention tips include:

  • Wash your hands often
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  • Avoid nonessential travel

For general information on COVID-19 in Florida, visit Florida Health, email covid-19@flhealth.gov or call 866-779-6121.