Orange County in ‘very good position’ in fight against COVID-19, health experts say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County is making progress in the fight against coronavirus, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The department said during its weekly meeting that the county’s rolling positivity rate is finally under 10%, but the only way to keep numbers trending down is getting more shots into arms.

“We’re getting in a very good position right now,” Orange County health officer Dr. Raul Pino said.

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The department said we’ve seen the highest decrease ever in the pandemic, at 41%. At our peak, the department counted 641 cases per 100,000.

Now, it’s at 157 per 100,000.

READ: Where have all the workers gone? Here’s what experts, data say is leading to labor shortages

Since Thursday, 46 more deaths have been reported since Thursday, inching the county closer to 2,000.

Pino said he predicts higher death rates for at least the next month due to the most recent delta wave.

READ: Orange County Department of Health puts a hold on testing sites at Orange County Public Schools

Right now, 73% of eligible people in Orange Count have at least one shot. On Tuesday, Pfizer booster shots will be available at Camping World Stadium.

Health leaders said people should also be considering the flu shot.

READ: ‘Help us bring Miya home’: Investigators continue to search for missing 19-year-old in Orange County

Video: State calls Orange County vaccine mandate policy 'discriminatory' (Chantelle Navarro, WFTV.com)

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