Orange County Leaders Want 50% Vaccination Rate Before Relaxing Mask Warrant

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he wants 50 percent of people in the county to be vaccinated before there are thoughts on how to relax the mask’s mandate.

More than 481,000 people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County and more than 290,000 people have completed their vaccine series, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The mayor wants to see more people sign up for an appointment with the vaccine.

“[The goal] is to get the shots in as many arms as we can, ”Demings said.

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Demings said 29.73% of Orange County residents received at least one dose of the vaccine and said 53.5% of people 40 and older have received at least one shot.

The goal of herd immunity is to vaccinate about 80% of the county’s population.

Demings said he will work with the health department to work on a phased plan for mask mandates.

“It will probably be a few months before you can see a significant reduction in facial coverage,” Demings said.

There is the possibility of an earlier or later schedule, according to Demings.

Demings said you will see the social distance requirements for Orange County residents relaxed before the mask term is relaxed.

Everyone 16 years of age or older is eligible for the vaccine in Orange County.

Anyone who is 16 or 17 years old should have a parent or guardian with them.

Orange County has posted a list of vaccine sites at this link, there are 120 sites in the county.

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“The convention center is fast and convenient. You don’t even have to get out of your car, ”Demings said.

Demings added that there are many appointments available at the Orange County Convention Center.

The county has offered 17,000 appointments for this week; 11,000 appointments are still available as of 5pm on Monday.

The 14-day continuous positive percentage in COVID-19 in Orange County is 7.6, up from about 5% in March.

The DOH reports that more than 130,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 2020.

Health officials report that 2,685 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19 in Orange County and 1,228 people have died from the virus.

Hospitalizations have risen slightly, according to Demings, the Orange County leader discussed the number with health leaders.

“They weren’t at the level where they cared a lot, but they’re overseeing it,” Demings said.