Miami, FL

‘We should definitely be concerned.’ Miami-Dade’s COVID-19 cases, positivity rates soar

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2022

‘We should definitely be concerned.’ Miami-Dade’s COVID-19 cases, positivity rates soar

‘We — Eva Mcaliley, 12, will get her first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine shot from Nurse Katiana Legagneur on the South Miami Kids’s Clinic on Could 15, 2021.
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Pedro Portal

pportal@miamiherald.com

With a brand new wave of omicron COVID instances surging in Miami-Dade County, the % of native constructive exams, often called the positivity fee, has soared, representing a fourfold enhance since April and sure an undercount as a result of at-home testing.

On Monday, Miami-Dade County’s seven-day common COVID-19 positivity fee rose to 22 %, up from a 5 % fee on April 8, based on the county’s COVID-19 Day by day Dashboard. The newest quantity is nearing the charges on the top of the omicron surge in January, when positivity charges scaled 35%.

“We must always positively be involved now,” stated Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious illness epidemiologist and professor at Florida Worldwide College. “In truth, we should always have been involved a number of weeks in the past.”

Miami-Dade’s mayor acknowledged the rising case counts and positivity charges, however stated county residents are in a greater place to climate the surge, the sixth wave for the reason that coronavirus started in March 2020, because of their vaccinations.

“Miami-Dade is now in a brand new part of the pandemic,” the Workplace of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava instructed the Miami Herald Thursday afternoon. “We’ve not crushed this virus, however we all know the way to management it. We’re probably the most vaccinated county in Florida and our protecting efforts are paying off.”

As of Thursday, 86% of Miami-Dade’s complete inhabitants was absolutely vaccinated, about 2.3 million folks. Florida’s absolutely vaccinated fee is 67.5 %; the U.S. fee is 66.7 %. Absolutely vaccinated means folks have obtained both the only dose J&J/Janssen vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. It doesn’t embody a booster, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Trepka says there’s a constructive be aware to the county’s excessive positivity fee: Hospitalizations haven’t reached the degrees throughout omicron’s preliminary surge, which began in December, peaked in January and commenced waning in February. Immunity from the virus, whether or not from vaccination or earlier an infection, is holding many out of the hospital.

“We’ve the workers, the beds and the assets to handle the present COVID-19 affected person quantity,” stated Dr. Aileen Marty, professor of Infectious Ailments within the Division of Medication at FIU Herbert Wertheim School of Medication.

READ MORE: Is it COVID or a chilly? Can drugs assist? What to find out about Florida surge

Two new omicron variants fueling surge

The rise in instances is being fueled by omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, that are making a surge in new COVID-19 instances throughout the nation. On Tuesday, the CDC reported the 2 variants, first recognized in South Africa in January and February, respectively, account for a mixed 13 % of U.S. instances for the week ended June 4.

Within the first week of Could, the 2 variants accounted for less than about 1 % of latest COVID instances, the CDC stated in its Tuesday replace, which was the primary time the CDC broke out the 2 variants in its weekly COVID-19 variant report.

Public well being specialists have stated these variants could possibly evade some immune protections, making them extra contagious.

On Tuesday, the primary three instances of the BA.4 variant have been present in Florida in Miami-Dade County, based on a lab report.

READ MORE: There’s a brand new, extra contagious omicron pressure, and it’s in Miami-Dade. Right here’s what we all know

Summer time surge

In Florida, instances and positivity charges started to rise at first of April. New instances slowly climbed, and by the tip of the month, hospitalizations began to inch up — though not almost to the degrees of the January surge. Deaths have remained comparatively low, with about 100 to 300 folks dying from COVID-19 weekly in Florida since April.

By the primary week of June, case counts topped the double digits. The state noticed its seven-day common of latest instances hit 10,927 on Thursday, almost double from a month in the past when the seven-day common was 5,424, based on Miami Herald calculations of CDC information.

Whereas Miami-Dade County shouldn’t be making new security suggestions, similar to requiring masks in county buildings — mandates county leaders adopted throughout earlier surges — the county says it has a plan to fight the surge.

Levine Cava launched her BEST Plan, which urges the neighborhood to get vaccinated and boosted, get examined when you’ve got signs or have been uncovered and keep dwelling when you really feel sick.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention is recommending all South Florida residents, no matter vaccination standing, put on a masks indoors in public and on public transportation. That’s as a result of South Florida’s 4 counties — Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Seashore and Monroe — have a excessive fee of neighborhood transmission, among the many highest within the nation.

Consultants are echoing the identical security measures.

“We should be sure that our individuals are updated on their COVID-19 boosters and influenza vaccines,” stated Marty.

Trepka harassed the significance of testing and staying dwelling when you really feel sick.

Unvaccinated filling up hospitals

In contrast to COVID-19 surges of the previous, hospitals haven’t change into overwhelmed.

The dominant circulating strains of omicron are extremely infectious and might trigger extreme illness, Marty stated. Nevertheless, excessive charges of vaccination in the neighborhood imply the infections don’t at all times result in hospitalization, though the immunocompromised are in danger.

However for many who haven’t been vaccinated, it’s one other story.

Says Marty: “76% of hospitalized sufferers have by no means been vaccinated for COVID-19, and nearly all vaccinated individuals who find yourself within the hospital are aged, immunocompromised, or produce other severe debilitating circumstances.”

Dr. Hany Atallah, chief medical officer of Jackson Memorial Hospital, stated Thursday nearly all of Jackson sufferers with COVID haven’t been vaccinated.

“We’re seeing additionally usually what we’ve seen previously, which is the protectiveness of vaccines,” Atallah stated. “So the people who find themselves within the hospital who’re vaccinated are typically much less sick than those that are within the hospital who’ve by no means been vaccinated.”

On Thursday, Jackson Memorial had 124 sufferers hospitalized with COVID, with 26 of these sufferers within the ICU. On Jan. 12, through the peak of the omicron variant, Jackson had 564 sufferers who have been hospitalized with COVID-19.

Throughout Florida, 3,105 hospitalized sufferers are suspected or confirmed to have COVID, with 297 within the ICU, based on Thursday’s report from the U.S. Division of Well being & Human Companies. Through the delta wave final summer time and the omicron wave in January, the variety of sufferers in Florida hospitals surpassed 15,000 a day.

Atallah stated present tendencies present hospitalizations lowering by the tip of June.

As healthcare employees toil by means of a sixth wave of the virus, he says it has been difficult to juggle skilled and private security.

“This has change into clearly a marathon,” he stated. “And the marathon shouldn’t be actually over.”

Miami Herald Actual Time Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers breaking information, Florida’s coronavirus pandemic and basic task. He’s a graduate of the College of Florida and grew up in Miami. Theme parks, films and automobiles are on his thoughts out and in of the workplace.

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Miami, FL

Lionel Messi's son Thiago features for Inter Miami in Newell's Cup in Rosario

Published

5 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Press Room

Lionel Messi's son Thiago features for Inter Miami in Newell's Cup in Rosario

When your father is hailed as one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a pitch, there is a high likelihood you will follow in his footsteps, right?

Well, that appears to be the path that Thiago Messi, the son of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel, is taking.

Thiago, aged 12, turned out for Inter Miami’s under-13 team in the Newell’s Cup in Rosario, Argentina, on Monday, wearing his father’s iconic number 10 shirt.

It is the 10th edition of the youth tournament, which sees eight clubs from North and South America compete across five days.

Father Lionel was born in Rosario, where Newell’s Old Boys are based, and spent five years in the academy of the Argentine outfit prior to joining Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth academy as a 13-year-old.

The 37-year-old, who spent most of his career at Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain and then on to Inter Miami, has achieved incredible things in the sport – winning 13 league titles and the Champions League on four occasions.

He also captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and Copa America success in 2021 and 2024.

Although Messi Sr was not in attendance at the Jorge B Griffa Sports Complex, a banner showing him kissing the World Cup was watching over Thiago.

Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and grandparents Jorge and Celia Messi, watched from the stands as Inter Miami lost 1-0 to host club Newell’s Old Boys.

Benjamin Suarez, the son of Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez, also featured alongside Thiago.

Inter Miami are back in action on Tuesday against Uruguayan club Penarol 91.

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Miami, FL

College football playoff predictions: Arizona State, Miami in; Ole Miss, Colorado out

Published

14 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

College football playoff predictions: Arizona State, Miami in; Ole Miss, Colorado out

RJ Young

FOX Sports National College Football Analyst

How unpredictable has the 2024 college football season been?

Kansas has one of those records that tells bold-faced lies to your face. We knew the Jayhawks were good. That’s why they were ranked among the 25 best teams in the country heading into this season by both myself and the Associated Press. So, while KU became the first team ever with a losing record in the FBS to win three games in a row against top 25 programs, it shocked few that Lance Leipold’s team accomplished this feat. It’s been more shocking that this team only began to find its form after the halfway mark of the season. Kansas could just as easily have been a CFP-projected selection like Arizona State is now, even after a 3-9 2023 season.

But that’s how unpredictable this year has been and how expectations for what a team can achieve remain volatile — even with the postseason just one week away. Colorado, a team that went 4-8 last year and lost to unranked Kansas last week, can still make the CFP. Indiana, a team that had won just nine games over the previous three years combined, is one win from securing its first 11-win season in program history. And, yes, the Hoosiers can make the CFP.

And now its rivalry week — the last week of a regular season that has seen all but one team suffer a loss. Unlikely upsets have been a common theme and 2024’s most exciting trait. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out my projections suffer from that volatility at least one more time.

With that said, here are my updated CFP projections:

1. Oregon
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 11-0

2. Texas
Conference: SEC
Record: 10-1

3. SMU
Conference: ACC
Record: 10-1

4. Arizona State
Conference: Big 12
Record: 9-2

5. Ohio State
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 9-1

6. Notre Dame
Conference: Independent
Record: 10-1

7. Penn State
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 10-1

8. Indiana
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 10-1

9. Georgia
Conference: SEC
Record: 9-2

10. Miami (Fla.)
Conference: ACC
Record: 10-1

11. Tennessee
Conference: SEC
Record: 9-2

12. Boise State
Conference: Mountain West
Record: 10-1

QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS

1. Oregon: Bye (would then play the winner of 8. Indiana vs. 9. Georgia)

2. Texas: Bye (would then play the winner of 7. Penn State vs. 10. Miami)

3. SMU: Bye (would then play the winner of 6. Notre Dame vs. 11. Tennessee)

4. Arizona State: Bye (would then play the winner of 5. Ohio State vs. 12. Boise State)

FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS

5. Ohio State vs. 12. Boise State

As Ashton Jeanty continues to move toward breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record — needing just 566 rushing yards — a date with an Ohio State team could make for an explosive affair.

The Buckeye defense has proven stingy, holding teams to just 241.7 yards per game this season, but no team has proven capable of stopping Jeanty.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has helped lead the Broncos to a 10-1 record this season. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

6. Notre Dame vs. 11. Tennessee

Each program boasts an outstanding tailback. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has rushed for 850 yards at 7.0 yards per carry this season, while Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson has rushed for 1,307 yards with 22 touchdowns through 11 games. The last time the Vols played at Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish won 41-21 in 2005.

Notre Dame sits at 10-1 heading into the final week of the regular season. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

7. Penn State vs. 10. Miami

Cam Ward and the Hurricanes would take their high-powered offense to Happy Valley against Penn State’s capable defense. The Hurricanes have the No. 1 scoring offense in the country (44.7 points per game), while the Nittany Lions rank No. 11 in scoring defense (14.6 points per game).

Cam Ward and the Miami Hurricanes feature the top-ranked scoring offense in the country. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

8. Indiana vs. 9. Georgia

In what might be the surest test of the Big Ten’s mettle against SEC power Georgia, this game could help set a new standard for not just how the Big Ten must be considered in the future, but Indiana as well. Hoosier fans would not have expected to play in the CFP in August.

Georgia QB Carson Beck has thrown for 3,132 yards and 23 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him at @RJ_Young.

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Miami, FL

Award Talk, Pro Bowl Voting Begins

Published

22 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been on a tear since he returned from injured reserve, and his performance in the Miami Dolphins’ 34-15 victory against the New England Patriots on Sunday might have been his best so far this season.

Not surprisingly, that performance has been recognized by the NFL, which has made him one of the three nominees for the FedEx Air Player of the Week.

Tagovailoa completed 29 of 40 passes for 317 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions against New England, good for a passer rating of 128.9.

The other nominees are Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold.

Fans can vote for the award on Twitter, with the winner announced later in the week.

Based on the performances of Week 12, Tagovailoa would seem to be a front-runner for the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award — though the Monday night game features an AFC matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers.

On Monday, Tagovailoa also was announced as the Dolphins nominee for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

Eight finalists will be selected and put on the Pro Bowl ballot for when players make their votes in December.

The award, which began in 2014, went to Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell in 2022 when he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

Tagovailoa is one of five QBs among the nominees, along with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Jordan Love.

Former Dolphins linebacker Kyle Van Noy is the nominee for the Ravens this year.

Fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games opened Monday.

Fans can make their selections at ProBowl.com/Vote, on team websites (such as www.miamidolphins.com/pro-bowl-games/vote) or on social media.

During the final two weeks of voting (Dec. 9-23), fans can vote directly on
“X” (formerly Twitter) by tweeting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player’s official
Twitter handle or creating a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. All three of these
methods must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote. During the final two days (Dec. 22-23),
social votes will count as double.

The selections will be determined by balloting from fans, players and coaches, with each counting one-third of the process.

Players and coaches will cast their votes Friday, Dec. 27.

The Pro Bowl Games will take place in Orlando on Feb. 2.

The Dolphins had six Pro Bowl selections last season: QB Tua Tagovailoa, RB Raheem Mostert, FB Alec Ingold, WR Tyreek Hill, T Terron Armstead and CB Jalen Ramsey.

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