Orange County leaders not yet ready to declare victory as COVID-19 positivity rates decline

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — At their weekly COVID-19 briefing, Orange County leaders were able to share some good news.

As of Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health is reporting that Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is 3.15%.

While the news is good, Mayor Jerry Demings stopped short of calling it a victory, saying he won’t feel like they have won this battle until cases are down to zero.

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Read: Parents may have to wait another month for COVID-19 vaccines for kids

Demings said Thursday marked the county’s 166th COVID-19 update, and this would be their final regularly scheduled briefing.

“If things change in the future, and the virus reignites itself, then perhaps we’ll make some modifications,” Demings said.

Video: AdventHealth doctors encourage parents to get newly eligible children vaccinated for COVID-19

Health officials are still working on a plan to get vaccinations for kids at its clinic that has been set up at Barnett Park.

Other takeaways from Thursday’s briefing were that 76% of eligible residents 12 and older have had one vaccine dose, and 66% of eligible residents 12 and older have completed their vaccination series.

Read: DeSantis announces special session to protect those whose jobs are affected by vaccine mandate

Orange County health officer Dr. Raul Pino said it would be great to have kids fully vaccinated by the holidays.

“We hope it will remain this way. but we have been here before and it’s gone bad again. (It) doesn’t mean it’s going to this time, but you have to prepare your kids, so this is a preemptive approach for prevention.” Pino said.

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