The Town has resumed its weekly COVID-19 updates that they had ended on June 9.
• After several weeks of increasing positivity rates for new Covid-19 infections, the Town has resumed weekly updates until further notice.
• Yesterday’s weekly report from the Florida Department of Health indicated a 15.1% positivity rate for the State and a 12.5% positivity rate for Palm Beach County over the previous 7 days. The prior week was 11.5% for the State and 9.6% for Palm Beach County. Health experts have recommended sustained positivity levels for two weeks of below 5% before considering the virus contained. Florida has not achieved that since June 25. Click on the link at the end of this alert to read the State report.
• Florida recorded more coronavirus cases (73,199) this past week than California, Texas, New York, and Illinois combined. That’s the biggest one-week surge since January 27, 2021. Palm Beach County added 3,981 people to its infection count, the highest level since early February 2021.
• Although a very small fraction of last week’s cases were “break-through” infections, it is the unvaccinated who are contracting Covid-19, with the Delta variant being the predominant strain. The Delta variant is not only far more transmissible than its predecessors, it appears to be more lethal to people of all ages.
• Vaccines are widely available for individuals 12 years old and up. The Town strongly encourages those who have yet to receive a vaccination to do so immediately. Only 60% of Florida residents 12 years and older have received at least one dose and only 64% of Palm Beach County residents 12 years and older have received at least one dose. The CDC has previously reported that a minimum of 70% is required to achieve herd immunity but the longer it takes to reach this percentage, the greater the chance of additional variants which could become even more transmissible and more resistant to current vaccines.
• The Town continues to require individuals who are not fully vaccinated to wear a facial covering or mask and social distance from other individuals while indoors on Town property. Additional restrictions will be considered in the week ahead and the public will be advised of any changes. The Town will continue to follow CDC guidelines and strongly encourage residents and businesses to continue doing the same.
• Information about vaccinations and other matters related to the Covid-19 Pandemic can be found on the Town’s website by clicking the link below.
post on Town website here.
