‘Uptick’ becomes an explosion of new cases (updated)

Last week, DOH Escambia director Dr. John Lanza called the increase in COVID-19 cases an “uptick.” Wonder what he calls the surge this week?

The state has been slow to update the DOH COVID Dashboard today. However, reports show Escambia County and Florida had another record day.

The state had 8,942 new cases and a positivity rate of 14.74% yesterday.

Escambia had 155 new cases – all but two were Florida residents. This week – June 21-June 26 – DOH has reported 389 new cases in the county – 33% jump in six days. For the entire month of May, the county had only 319 new cases.

Update: Escambia did have one more death – total 44. Seven of its new cases are tied to nursing homes. The median age for the latest cases is 36. The positivity rate for June 25 is 15.8% – for 1,009 test results.

Duval County – site of the 2020 GOP Convention – had 446 new cases and 14.1% positivity.