Lee Health has once again resumed issuing daily COVID-19 statistics to keep the community informed as 70 new patients entered hospitals over the weekend.

According to Lee Health, the area’s largest healthcare system, as of Tuesday afternoon, has 186 COVID-19 patients isolated at inpatient hospitals, including 34 new admissions and 26 discharges since Monday.

Lee Health officials reiterated the need for residents to become vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus.

“At Lee Health, we want to encourage everyone who is able to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to do so as soon as possible,” said Lee Health spokesperson Jonathon Little in a release. “We have heard people in the community say they did not need a vaccine because they’ve already had COVID-19 and have antibodies to protect them from becoming infected again. While you do have some protection after recovering from the virus, it is unclear how long the immunity lasts. People who have gotten COVID-19 and recovered can absolutely get it again. That’s why the vaccine is so important.”

As of Tuesday, Lee Health has 70% of ventilators and 10% of ICU rooms available for use. The report stated as of Tuesday, there were 14 COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 37 in the intensive care unit. Census as of Tuesday was at 91% of staffed operational bed capacity. 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.

Little continued, “Lee Health strongly urges everyone in the community age 12 and over get vaccinated. Doing so provides significant protection against serious illness even if you are exposed to the coronavirus.”

Individuals looking to become vaccinated can visit www.LeeHealth.org or call 239-343-0999 to schedule an appointment. The free vaccination clinic at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers (13681 Doctors Way) is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A parent or guardian must accompany a minor.

Virtual calls recommended on non-essential court hearings

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers published a release Tuesday urging all courts throughout the state to return to virtual court for non-essential hearings.

“We are extremely concerned about the uptick in positive coronavirus cases throughout the State. FACDL is concerned that if proactive steps are not taken now, more severe measures will be required in the future and will result in further significant adverse due process implications,” said Jude M. Faccidomo, President of the group, in a statement.

Officials said that returning to Zoom proceedings on all matters that do not constitutionally require in-person appearances would limit the personnel in the respective courthouse.

Faccidomo also showed concern when it comes to the levels of infection in pretrial correctional facilities.

“It is nearly impossible to control infection rates in a jail when there is no mandate that employees be vaccinated, and new inmates arrive daily,” Faccidomo explained. “The holding of hearings by Zoom from the jail rather than transporting hundreds of inmates daily also makes better sense for the safety of all.”