Report from the White House Task Force Coronavirus puts Duval County in the red zone

“Florida has seen an increase in new cases, test positivity and hospitalizations and is in full COVID-19 resurgence,” the report said. “Nearly all urban areas with more than 500,000 people are in full revival and aggressive action is facing this increasing community dispersion in our major metropolises. Subways that continued to improve after Thanksgiving are now destabilizing. “

READ: Jan. 10 Report from the White House Task Force Coronavirus on Florida

This week, Florida became the third state to pass 1.5 million cases of COVID-19 and saw the number of new cases increase 66% in the past week.

The working group also warns of the rapidly spreading variant of the virus identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 76 cases identified in Florida, 22 were found in Florida.

Aside from the rapid immunization of the older population and those with underlying health conditions, the team recommends stronger, targeted messages to the public.

“Florida needs to take more action both statewide and by the local government. Increase communication about the importance of personal disability by masking, removing physical distance and avoiding family gatherings, ”the report said.

The report said increasing vaccinations is a no-brainer, but it also stressed the importance of ongoing proactive testing.

In fact, it recommends that all primary school teachers, older students, and those from colleges and universities be tested weekly, as it drastically reduces the spread of the virus in those places and reduces the need for contact tracking.