In a move aimed at boosting local vaccinations, the Florida Department of Health will host two walk-up clinics this week where appointments will not be required.
One of the clinics will take place Friday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th St. in Gainesville from 9 a.m. to noon. The other will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fellowship Church of High Springs, 16916 NW U.S. Highway 441.
The state’s vaccine report shows that 397 people received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine locally Monday.
So far, 62,592 local residents have received both doses needed for maximum immunity and another 33,021 have received their first dose about 36% of the local population. Another 23.5% of residents are fully vaccinated.
Alachua County adds 45 COVID-19 cases Wednesday
Coronavirus vaccinations continue steadily in Alachua County, but the rate of new cases remains slightly higher than it was a month ago. However, virus hospitalizations are trending downward compared with last week.
The county reported 45 new virus cases in Tuesday s state health department report, for a total of 23,975. Local virus deaths remain at 262.
The two-week positivity rate for new cases is 2.8%, a slight drop in recent weeks.
Tuesday afternoon, 45 patients at Alachua County hospitals had a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 a slight decrease since last week, according to data from Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. Hospitals had about 15% available capacity, and overall bed availability has remained stable for the past month.
Strong storms that swept across the state Saturday and Sunday impacted the number of people who received COVID-19 vaccines and were tested for the virus, leading to lower than usual numbers on both accounts.
Paul Myers, administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, said only about half of the 5,000 people signed up for a Saturday vaccine clinic at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium showed up for their appointments.
However, he said the people who missed the clinic will be contacted again and can reschedule.
Myers also said the department doesn’t prepare doses in syringes ahead of time so as not to waste them.
Alachua County reports 1 COVID-19 death Sunday
Alachua County reported one additional COVID-19-related death Sunday a person who was not affiliated with long-term care.
Local virus fatalities are now at 262, including 77 affiliated with long-term care. The residents include at least 111 men and 107 women.
The county also added 35 new virus cases Sunday, for a total case count of 23,879.
The two-week positivity rate for new cases is 3.2%. That rate has been rising slightly over the past few weeks.
Sunday afternoon, 50 patients at Alachua County hospitals had a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 a decrease since last week, according to data from Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. Hospitals had about 19.5% available capacity, and overall bed availability has remained stable for the past month.
The state’s vaccine report shows that another 825 people in Alachua County took a step closer to COVID-19 immunity Thursday by getting vaccinated, while the county added two more virus-related deaths to its roster.
Some 32,000 residents have gotten at least one shot, while another 60,000 have gotten the two needed for maximum immunity, state health records show. As of late Thursday, 34% of the local population has received one vaccine dose and just over 22% with two doses.
Large vaccination clinics continued at the University of Florida campus Friday and were set for Saturday as well.
All adults 18 years old and older are now eligible for vaccines, while 16- and 17-year-olds can receive a Pfizer vaccine. A parent or guardian is required to sign the Pfizer consent form and be present at the minor’s vaccine appointment.