9 in 10 Floridians at ‘high' risk of COVID as hospitalizations rise

| 6/21/2022

9 in 10 Floridians at ‘high’ risk of COVID as hospitalizations rise

Florida’s COVID-19 infection rate evened out last week, but hospitalizations kept rising. The state recorded 10,618 cases per day, on average, during the week of June 11-17. That’s essentially unchanged from last week. But Florida hospitals had 3,212 confirmed COVID-19 cases Friday, a 13% jump from the week before. Elevated infection and hospitalization rates mean that 92% of Floridians now live in “high risk” counties, according to federal data. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

State moves forward on plan to deny Medicaid coverage for transgender treatments

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration moved forward Friday with a proposal that would deny Medicaid coverage for treatments such as puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy for transgender people. The state Agency for Health Care Administration, which runs most of the Medicaid program, published a proposed rule and set a July 8 hearing on the issue. National and state legal and LGBTQ-advocacy groups have vowed to fight the proposal. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida health officials warn of growing meningococcal outbreak

Florida has recorded 43 cases this year, according to Department of Health data. That is more than double the state’s five-year average of 19 cases annually and well above the 27 cases reported in 2021. While dangerous, meningococcal infections can be prevented and treated. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against the disease. The vaccine is recommended for college students, people with HIV and the immunocompromised. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

As thousands of Floridians suffer from sickle cell disease, more resources critically needed

More than 8,000 people in Florida suffer from sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that causes chronic pain, strokes and shortened life expectancy. The disease occurs in about one in every 365 African American births and one in every 16,300 Hispanic American births. Yet, this major health crisis that forces many patients into a lifetime of disability has not been given the attention it needs. [Source: Florida Politics]

Florida's new abortion law violates religious freedom, a synagogue's lawsuit says

A new Florida law prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks with some exceptions violates religious freedom rights of Jews in addition to the state constitution's privacy protections, a synagogue claims in a lawsuit. The lawsuit filed by the Congregation L'Dor Va-Dor of Boynton Beach contends the law that takes effect July 1 violates Jewish teachings, which state abortion "is required if necessary to protect the health, mental or physical well-being of the woman" and for other reasons. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Monkeypox has been reported in Orange and Collier, with eight cases now in Broward [Health News Florida]
The Florida Department of Health on Friday reported 10 monkeypox cases in the state, including eight in Broward County and one each in Orange and Collier counties. Dr. Jarod Fox, who runs the Infectious Diseases Department at Orlando Health, notes that the virus that causes the disease is not as contagious as COVID. It mainly spreads through close and prolonged skin-to-skin contact with sores, or bedding or clothes that have touched these sores.

› Survey shows that half of Sarasota-Manatee health workers are dealing with compassion fatigue [WUSF]
More than half of the health professionals and first responders in Sarasota and Manatee counties have experienced compassion fatigue, according to a community impact report released by a nonprofit that helps people deal with trauma. Resilient Retreat collected the data to demonstrate the need for trauma-based services in Sarasota and Manatee for health care workers and first responders.

› Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital named one of the best places to work in healthcare in 2022 [Positively Osceola]
For the first time ever, Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2022. The recent recognition of the 84-bed, acute care hospital comes from Modern Healthcare, a leading healthcare publication. Their award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide.

› Miami surgeon volunteers in Ukraine to help physicians treat trauma patients [WLRN]
A surgeon in Miami has a passion for helping other doctors around the world care for trauma patients. Dr. Enrique Ginzburg recently went to Lviv in Ukraine to mentor doctors whose patients have suffered injuries during the war with Russia. Ginzburg spoke about his experience to WLRN.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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