May 13 update: 2 new cases in Alachua County

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

According to the state dashboard, Alachua County has 326 COVID-19-positive cases, an increase of 2 from yesterday out of 270 test results. That’s a positive test rate of 0.74%.

No new deaths have been reported, keeping the total at 5. Four of the five deaths were from long-term care facilities. The 5 deaths were first reported as positive cases on April 9 (2), April 18, April 20, and April 21.

The website with current numbers of long-term care cases in Alachua County shows 66 cases in these facilities, down 14 from yesterday; all of the decrease is in the “Positive Residents” category at Palm Garden and Oak Hammock (the top line of numbers is a total for the state). The chart says, “The data is not cumulative but reflects the information available for current residents and staff with cases as of yesterday’s date.”

Available bed capacity in Alachua County is 20.97%. With “elective” procedures beginning again, the capacity is expected to decrease.

The state has 42,402 cases (an increase of 479 from yesterday) and 1,827 deaths (an increase of 48 from yesterday).

The state is also now publishing a chart of the percentage of new tests that are positive by day (this chart is for the whole state), and yesterday’s positive rate was 5.27%.

Dade County has 35% of the state’s cases. Broward has 14%; Palm Beach 10%; and Orange 4%. Alachua County represents about 1.2% of the state’s population and 0.77% of the state’s cases.

9,760 test results have come back so far in Alachua County (up 270 from yesterday), and 9,427 tests have come back negative, so 96.6% of the tests so far have been negative. Only 3.3% of the local tests have come back positive so far, and 0.74% of yesterday’s tests came back positive.

According to the daily report, there are 257 cases in Gainesville, 14 in Alachua, 12 in Newberry, 8 in Hawthorne, 5 in High Springs, 4 in Waldo, 4 in Tioga, 3 in Micanopy, 1 in LaCrosse, 1 in Santa Fe, and 1 in Archer. 1 case is listed in the city of “Missing” in Alachua County. Location data is not available for all cases.

The 7-day average of new cases is at 4.1. Here is the 7-day average of new cases for the past 14 days, with a trendline. Keep in mind that this line could start moving up if we continue to test high numbers of people, but the important number is the percentage of positive test results.

Cases by zip code

I don’t know why the legend is still in Spanish.

32044: 0 cases

32601: 59 cases

32603: <5 cases

32605: 28 cases

32606: 13 cases

32607: 33 cases

32608: 52 cases

32609: 30 cases

32610: <5 cases

32611: 0 cases

32615: 14 cases

32618: <5 cases

32622: 0 cases

32631: 0 cases

32640: 8 cases

32641: 24 cases

32643: 5 cases

32653: 14 cases

32666: 0 cases

32667: <5 cases

32669: 16 cases

32694: <5 cases

Testing information

Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) is offering evening drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Wednesdays, from 4-7 p.m. This is in addition to their regular testing schedule. DOH-Alachua is offering COVID-19 testing to Alachua County residents, regardless of symptoms. Residents who want a COVID-19 test are asked to call 352-334-8810 for an appointment. A referral from a doctor is not required. If your insurance covers this, it will be billed (no copay is required). If not, it is free.

COVID-19 Testing Available in East Gainesville
The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, in partnership with COVID-19 Student Service Corp, is offering walk-up and drive-up testing in east Gainesville. Neither symptoms nor a doctor’s referral are required. The tests are being administered Thursday, May 21 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at GTEC (2153 SE Hawthorne Rd., Suite 101).

COVID-19 Testing Results Phone Line
The Department of Health in Alachua County has set up a dedicated line for residents to call for COVID-19 test results. The phone number is 352-334-8828, and it is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.