ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — While some areas of the country are believed to be hitting their omicron peak, lines at COVID-19 testing sites around Orange County are much shorter this week.

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It’s encouraging to see statewide hospital numbers inching lower, but they’re still 9,000 patients higher than a month ago.

READ: Stealth omicron: New COVID-19 variant seen in 40 countries

Earlier this month, lines could stretch hours long at Orange County’s testing sites. On Monday, there was less than a 15 minute wait at Barnett Park, and no line at the city’s testing site at Camping World Stadium.

However, county officials said that, at least for now, testing has not waned. All three of its sites are still seeing an average of about 900 people a day.

The Florida Hospital Association reports COVID-19 admissions dropped by 150 cases for adults from Friday, but cases in children are on a slight rise.

READ: Universal Orlando drops COVID-19 testing mandate for unvaccinated employees

“They’re still at a very high level, (a) very concerning level,” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said. “If we hold on and continue these measures. My sense is that we will be in a better place in a few weeks.”

Right now, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports a 69% jump in COVID-19-related admissions in children between the first two weeks in January. That’s nearly one million children nationwide.

READ: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, wife test positive for COVID-19

New COVID-19 omicron variant seen in 40 countries (NCD)

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