Central Florida COVID hospitalizations continue to rise, AdventHealth doctors say

ORLANDO, Fla. — AdventHealth doctors are urging those who haven’t received COVID-19 vaccines or boosters to get them, as hospitalizations in Central Florida continue to rise.

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According to an update from AdventHealth Monday, there are 910 people in their hospitals across seven Central Florida counties. Approximately 120 of those are in intensive care.

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So far, the current surge remains lower than the Delta which peaked in August with approximately 1,700 hospitalizations.

Statewide, AdventHealth Centra Care’s COVID-19 positivity rate has reached 40 percent. Doctors attribute the increased rate to the omicron variant’s high transmissibility.

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Doctors say booster shots remain the best defense against the more contagious omicron. The unvaccinated are also encouraged to at least begin a vaccine series for some form of protection against the variant.

AdventHealth doctors recommend continued mask use indoors or when in close contact with others.

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They also ask that people avoid going to the Emergency Room just for a COVID-19 test, and instead seek a home test, a county-run testing site or an appointment at AdventHealth Centra Care.

The Florida Department of Health publishes a list of COVID testing sites located throughout the state here. 

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