Local health officials on Tuesday asked residents of Southwest Florida to take precautions as the holidays begin so as to not augment the current rise in COVID-19 cases locally.

President and CEO of Lee Health Dr. Larry Antonucci said he understands the need for families to be together, but hopes the community does so responsibly.

“As the pandemic continues and the number of cases rise in our community, we must temper our desire for a traditional Thanksgiving and continue to take steps to remain safe and healthy,” Antonucci said. “Continue to wear a mask and socially distance from others and remember to frequently wash your hands. Find alternate ways to celebrate with friends and family members, especially those who are most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19. The sacrifices we make now will help contain the virus and ensure that you and your loved ones spend many more joyous holidays together.

“It is a natural desire to want to gather around the table for a traditional Thanksgiving celebration and spend quality time with loved ones. But as we all know, nothing in the past months has been normal and this holiday season will be like no other we have experienced.”

While this is a holiday weekend unlike any in recent memory for Americans, progress on the vaccine front could result in some positive news much needed in 2020.

“We don’t know how much longer we will be in this fight, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Antonucci said. “We continue to work with state and local health officials to be ready for the distribution of a vaccine, and researchers continue to make advancements in the treatment of COVID-19. I am asking each of you to remain patient and remain strong, and to help slow the spread we are currently experiencing. Please be responsible this Thanksgiving and help us keep our community safe.”

The Florida Department of Health also released guidelines on how to protect from COVID-19 during gatherings and celebrations through the holiday weekend.

They include:

n All individuals should wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.

n If someone feels ill during the holiday season, get tested for COVID-19 and avoid going out in public or being around at-risk individuals.

n Older adults or persons with certain medical conditions who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or live or work with someone at increased risk of severe illness, should avoid in-person gatherings with people who do not live in their household.

n Consider hosting an outdoor gathering rather than an indoor gathering.

n Guests who have traveled from other areas or towns should distance themselves from people who are 65 or older and people of any age who have underlying health issues such as lung or heart disease.

n Hosts entertaining at home should make sure frequently touched surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after gatherings.

FDOH also stated that they are “actively planning for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, making it more important than ever for Floridians to take precautions in their everyday life to mitigate the spread of the virus.”

By the Numbers

As of Tuesday morning, there were 953,300 total cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Florida, an increase of 8,555 since FDOH’s last update Monday morning; the second largest daily new case total since Oct. 24 (9,897 on Nov.14).

Test results reported to the Department of Health on Monday, Nov. 23 resulted in a 7.47 positivity rate. Positivity rate in new cases has topped 7% for 16 consecutive days (10.05% on Nov. 13). Percent positivity rates in new cases have been over 5% since Oct. 29.

The state saw its highest daily percentage of positive patients July 8, when 18.50 percent of tests reported were positive among 51,686 tests.

Of those testing positive, 52,865 Florida residents have been hospitalized at some point during their illness according to the state. There have been 18,030 deaths (including five that occurred last Wednesday).

The resident death toll increased by 72 (six occurring Monday), bringing the total number of deaths, both resident and non-resident, to 18,383.

In Lee County, 28,608 individuals (+329) have tested positive as of Tuesday’s update.

Positive COVID-19 cases in the county have ranged from infants to a 103-year-old. Lee County saw its first two cases on March 7, when a man and a woman, each 77, tested positive. They had traveled to the Dominican Republic.

There have been 570 deaths in Lee County, an increase of seven from Monday’s report.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Lee Health had 140 COVID-19 patients isolated in system inpatient hospitals, including 24 new admissions and 20 discharges since Monday. Over the weekend, Lee Health saw 51 new admissions and 39 discharges.

A total of 3,300 patients who had tested positive have been discharged since the beginning of the pandemic.

On Monday, Lee Health had a 23.5% positivity rate on COVID-19 tests processed through Lee Health Labs. This represents Lee Health results only, not Lee County as a whole. Hospital positivity rates tend to be higher as the tests are performed on patients seeking treatment for a health issue, not the general public that includes asymptomatic individuals.

Census as of Tuesday afternoon was at 88 (+6)% of staffed operational bed capacity, with 11.3 (-.2)% of those being COVID-19 patients. Staffed operational capacity reflects the number of beds for which the hospital has adequate staffing, not the total number of beds within Lee Health hospitals. Overall bed capacity fluctuates hour to hour as the system discharges patients throughout the day who are ready to go home.

As of Tuesday, 69 (-4)% of ventilators and 23 (-5)% of ICU rooms are available for use across Lee Health facilities.

As of Tuesday, there were 12 (+3) COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 23 (-1) in the intensive care unit.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious viral disease. For most individuals, symptoms are mild. For a minority, the disease becomes a type of viral pneumonia with severe complications. Especially at risk are those who are older, those with underlying health conditions and the immune-compromised.

Officials strongly urge all members of the public who are at risk to remain at home so as to limit exposure. All others are urged to observe social distancing and to wear a mask for all public interactions, including holiday shopping.

For more detail on Florida resident cases, visit the live DOH Dashboard.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, visit the Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control, visit the CDC COVID-19 website. For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, visit the travel advisory website.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj