According to reports, Orange County, Florida, is in a COVID-19 crisis. Orange County is home to Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando Resorts, and Seaworld Orlando.
Chief Executive Officer Jerry L. Demings of Orange County, also referred to as the county’s mayor released a statement during a press conference about the uptick of new cases and the need for residents to practice safer precautions.
“These numbers are extraordinary. We are seeing nearly 1,000 new cases in Orange County daily. Those are the numbers we saw at the highest peak last year,” Demings said. “So a thousand a day is extraordinary. We are now in crisis mode.”
Orange County has reported 3,893 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days. This estimate is from the OC Health Care Agency. Demings revealed that hospitals in central Florida are steadily approaching capacity.
After the theme parks eased their mask restrictions, the number of new cases in the area surged. Demings suggests there be testing requirements, and enough time is given for isolation put back in place for those traveling during the summer.
He also said how vital it is for residents to practice social distancing and get vaccinated, especially since the delta variant of the virus is spreading quickly.
According to the CDC, the number of fully vaccinated residents is 48.5%. 61% of all residents over age 12 received at least one dose of the vaccine.
“Many of you cannot afford to get sick,” Demings continued, referring to the Delta variant quickly spreading over the United States.
“Many of you do not want to get sick. You do not want to infect your family members, just like me. So, the time really is now — like no other time in our community — for you to step up to the plate and get vaccinated,” Demings added. “We, as a community, need to work together to slow the spread.”
