Coronavirus cases on the rise again throughout the state, Alachua County

The coronavirus pandemic continues to linger after more than two years.

Throughout Florida, at least 20,860 people last week were diagnosed with the virus, according to the Florida Department of Health, bringing its cumulative known case count to 5,899,188 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The state also added 26 people to its death toll, bringing the death total to 73,830.

Unlike other states around the country, Florida rolled back COVID-19 reporting, now releasing data every other week. But as Florida roes back reporting, and safety precautions, cases are beginning to trend upward again as a new subvariants BA.2 makes its way around in the U.S.

Cases have climbed each of the past six weeks, data shows.

Hospitalizations drop:Hospital admissions for COVID-19 drop at Gainesville hospitals but peak may yet be ahead

More:COVID-19 update: Alachua County numbers are falling, but a subvariant of omicron looms

On March 11, the state reported 8,038 cases. On April 8, Florida saw 15,623 cases. During that month span, the positivity rate climbed from 1.9% to 6.1%.

The true number of infected Floridians is unknown, as home testing has become increasingly more popular. Approximately 74% of Florida's residents are also vaccinated, reducing symptoms for many.

Alachua County

In Alachua County, at least 159 new cases were reported last week, with a 4.1% positivity rate. 

The county has had a cumulative case count of 68,467 since March 2020.

An additional 35 county residents were vaccinated over the last week, bringing the total vaccinations to 181,905, or about 70% of the local vaccine-eligible population.

Nearby counties largely recorded low case numbers and positivity rates:

Neighboring counties are also reporting new cases.

Bradford County had at least 15 known cases with a 5.9% positivity rate. About 49% of the county’s vaccine-eligible population has been vaccinated.

Columbia County recorded 18 cases with a 2.3% positivity rate. At least 48% of the county has been vaccinated.

Gilchrist county had just three new positive cases with a 1.8% positivity rate. About 44% of the county age 5 and up has been vaccinated.

Marion County recorded 142 new cases with a 3.5% positivity rate. About 64% of that county’s vaccine-eligible population has been vaccinated.

Hospital breakdown

UF Health Shands Hospital reported Monday morning that it was treating 20 patients for  COVID 19, five of whom are in the intensive care unit. 

HCA Florida North Florida Hospital has five COVID-19 patients in-house, none of those are in the ICU.

Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center has just one COVID-19 patient in the hospital. The patient is not in an ICU beds, as of Monday.