White House report on Coronavirus Task Force puts Duval County in the red zone

“Florida has seen an increase in new cases, test positivity and hospitalizations and is in the midst of a resurgence of COVID-19,” the report said. “Almost all metropolitan areas of more than 500,000 people are in full resurgence and aggressive action must meet this growing community outreach in our large metropolitan areas. The methods that continued to improve after Thanksgiving are now destabilizing. “

TO READ: January 10 Report of the White House Coronavirus Working Group on Florida

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

The working group also warns about the rapid spread 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 elderly population and people with underlying health conditions, the team recommends a stronger, more focused message to the public.

“Florida needs to increase public mitigation at both the state and local levels. Increase communication around the importance of personal mitigation with masking, physical distancing, and avoiding family reunions,” the report said.

The report said that while increasing vaccinations is not obvious, it also emphasized the importance of continuing proactive testing.

It even recommends that all K-12 teachers, senior and college students, and universities be tested weekly, as it drastically reduces the spread of the virus in these places and decreases the need to locate contacts.