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ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health reported more than 12,000 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday as it tested its new telephone vaccine appointment system.
The FDOH has launched a pilot program of the system in an effort to support local counties with high demand for coronavirus vaccines. It is a system that the Ron DeSantis government has been suggesting for the past few weeks as it crosses the state, expanding Pubix’s vaccination program, saying the hotline is part of the state’s strategy to put “seniors first.”
According to the Broward health department tweet, people over the age of 65, along with front-line health workers, can call (866) 201-6313 to request an appointment. Those with hearing impairments can call (833) 476-1526.
News 6 called the number to see how the helpline works.
The system offers directions in English and Spanish. An automatic voice asks the caller a series of questions to check eligibility, asking callers if they are health care workers or 65 years of age or older.
People are also asked to enter their date of birth, telephone number and postcode so that the telephone line can help connect the caller to a nearby vaccination site. If the vaccine is not available, the automatic voice says that it will dial the number entered when the vaccine is available in the caller’s area.
State officials said a telephone system is more suitable for the elderly, who may be less accustomed to web-based technology and may need more assistance.
As the hotline continues to be officially launched, Florida is working to ensure that its vaccines are for residents only.
In a two-page notice signed by surgeon General Scott Rivkees of Florida, the State Department of Health noted that “the vaccine remains rare in the United States and the availability of the vaccine in Florida is extremely limited.”
As a result, Rivkees issued a public health notice addressing “the prioritization of floridians for COVID-19 in Florida.”
This means that vaccine providers must confirm whether a beneficiary of the shot is a permanent or seasonal resident, providing a driver’s license or a number of other documents, including rental leases and utility bills, as specified by the Department of Health. Of the state.
To find out if you are eligible for a vaccine in Florida, click here.
[READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Virus death toll surpasses 25,000 amid Florida’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccine system]
Cases
The Florida Department of Health reported 12,157 new cases on Saturday, bringing the state’s total to 1,639,914 cases since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
deaths
Florida reported 156 new virus-related deaths on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 25,561. This number includes 397 nonresidents who died in Florida.
hospitalization
As of Saturday afternoon, they existed now 6,698 people with the virus are hospitalized in Florida, according to the State Agency for Healthcare Administration.
Since March 70,002 people were hospitalized in Florida after complications from COVID-19. This number includes 267 new ones patients who were recently hospitalized because of the virus, according to the daily report of the health department published on Friday.
Positivity rate
The percentage of positive results was 6.54% on Saturday, a significant decrease compared to the previous day.
Health officials say the rate should remain between 5% and 10% to prove that a community has control over the virus and fights infections.
Vaccinations
The Florida Department of Health recently began launching a daily report on statewide COVID-19 vaccines.
As of Saturday, 1,389,149 people had been vaccinated in Florida. The FDOH also reports that 139,345 people received the second blow.
The state initially reported how many people were overtaken for the second vaccination, but has since removed that data point.
[Register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida here]
| County | Cases | New cases | hospitalization | New hospitalizations | deaths | We died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevard | 27,542 | 297 | 1,695 | 10 | 609 | 6 |
| Flagler | 4,940 | 35 | 281 | 0 | 60 | -1 |
| Lake | 20,470 | 174 | 1,088 | 1 | 386 | -6 |
| Marion | 23,209 | 159 | 1,503 | 14 | 562 | 2 |
| oranges | 97,842 | 994 | 2,158 | 9 | 893 | 0 |
| Osceola | 32,033 | 299 | 1,168 | 3 | 334 | 1 |
| Polk | 47,795 | 541 | 3,680 | 15 | 928 | 8 |
| Seminole | 22,928 | 171 | 1,013 | 10 | 353 | 0 |
| Sumter | 6,706 | 60 | 434 | 1 | 169 | -1 |
| Volusia | 29,051 | 201 | 1,442 | 3 | 492 | 0 |
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