May 15 update: no new cases in Alachua County, one new death
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
According to the state dashboard, Alachua County has 330 COVID-19-positive cases–no new positives out of 78 test results.
Although the dashboard still shows 5 deaths, the daily report shows a 6th death, a 77-year-old male whose case was first counted on April 18. Five of the six deaths were from long-term care facilities. The 6 deaths were first reported as positive cases on April 9 (2), April 18 (2), April 20, and April 21.
64 people have been hospitalized, no increase from yesterday. Hospitalizations may include people who don’t live in Alachua County.
The website with current numbers of long-term care cases in Alachua County shows 65 cases in these facilities, down 1 from 2 days ago. 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 22.05%. With “elective” procedures beginning again, the capacity is expected to decrease.
The state has 44,138 cases (an increase of 928 from yesterday) and 1,917 deaths (an increase of 42 from yesterday, 30 of which were from long-term care facilities).
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 4.02%.
Dade County has 35% of the state’s cases. Broward has 14%; Palm Beach 10%; Orange has 4%, and Hillsborough has 4%. Alachua County represents about 1.2% of the state’s population and 0.75% of the state’s cases.
10,045 test results have come back so far in Alachua County (up 78 from yesterday), and 9,708 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 of yesterday’s tests came back positive.
Here is the official graph for the Alachua County:
Also, the percentage of emergency department visits for cough, fever, and shortness of breaths is near zero:
According to the daily report, there are 260 cases in Gainesville, 14 in Alachua, 13 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 3.4. 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
32044: 0 cases
32601: 59 cases
32603: <5 cases
32605: 28 cases
32606: 13 cases
32607: 33 cases
32608: 54 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: 17 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.