November 29 update: 44 new positive tests, 3 deaths
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
[Editor’s note: This information is provided to put the COVID-19 data in context and show trends. We are presenting the data as reported by Florida Department of Health with the understanding that the data is messy, and each day’s update changes multiple previous days. We believe that individuals should have access to as much information as possible so they can make decisions about their risks; you can find our opinions about government actions in the COVID-19 category on the site.]
According to the state dashboard, Alachua County reported an increase of 44 positive COVID-19 tests with an official test positivity rate of 9.39% as the testing volume dropped by 75% from recent levels. Three new deaths were reported.
The three new deaths are:
- 77-year-old male who tested positive on October 25 and was hospitalized but has “UNKNOWN” in the emergency room field
- 57-year-old male who tested positive on August 21, was not hospitalized, and did not visit an emergency room
- 79-year-old female who tested positive on August 5, was hospitalized, and visited an emergency room
None were in long-term care.
Of the people whose positive tests came back yesterday, only 5 were 65 or older (this is the important number to track because those are the people who are more likely to have bad outcomes).
A total of 102 deaths have been reported in the county, 34 of which were in long-term care.
The overall number of people (from all counties) hospitalized here for COVID-19 increased from 115 to 118.
State COVID-19 hospitalizations increased to 4,059 today.
The state reported 7,364 new positive tests (official positivity rate of 7.85%) and a net increase of 58 deaths, 20 of which were from long-term care facilities.
Changes in the number of deaths were reported on 39 different dates, going back to August 8. Changes by month: August (+10), September (+16), October (+2), November (+31-1)
The peaks are on July 30-31 (235) and August 4 (237), and the 7-day moving average peak is August 5 (226).
The 7-day average plateau between July 25 and August 7 has been stable since I started reporting the peaks on August 27.
Here is the full chart for context:
The state also publishes a chart of the percentage of new tests that are positive by day (this chart is for the whole state), and the official positive rate yesterday was 7.14%.
In Alachua County, the official positivity rate was 9.39%, which is likely more reflective of a very low testing day than any change in population prevalence.
This chart shows the number of negative tests reported in Alachua County by day, which gives an idea of the volume of testing:
The 7-day moving average of new cases is at 67.9 through yesterday’s cases. Here is the 7-day average of new cases for the past 14 days:
As your reports have indicated, the real positivity rate of Alachua County is in the 3.26% range. By using the highest testing days and considering the high rate of testing over the days before Thanksgiving, you have a more reliable sample….in my opinion.
Thanks for all you do! J
As the State is now at a 4.84% positively rate and our county at 3.26% for all its high testing dates, and we know that more testing will be close, where will we be before therapeutic drugs hit targeted locations and vaccines become available for most needy before they are available for all?
We know that long term health care facilities have suffered the most with 37% to 40% of deaths being reported from those facilities. Testing must be funneled to those first as with first responders and Heath care personnel. Warp Speed has prevailed and thanks to our President.
SCOTUS acted on opening the door to freedom of speech and religious freedom. It was very limited, yet was based on the US constitution and the protection of our rights. And we all know why they voted the way they did. If you question Robert’s vote, do your research, understand his background…and then you will know. He is pro Union even though he clerked or worked for a conservative Justice.