Florida is overrun with undiagnosed coronavirus. (thread) Data from the ESSENCE-FL report for the first week of March (through Mar 7), published Mar 11.
1. Statewide flu-like activity at urgent cares and ERs is significantly up. Somewhat unusual to rise this late in year.
1. Statewide flu-like activity at urgent cares and ERs is significantly up. Somewhat unusual to rise this late in year.
2. This uptick could, absent other data, represent either flu or COVID-19. Unfortunately, we know from the % of positive flu tests, which continues to fall rapidly, that it is not flu. It's coronavirus.
3. The extra cases are not localized to any one particular region in Florida. Literally, all of Florida is seeing an uptick in influenza-like illness (that is not influenza).
4. As we would expect for coronavirus, the community spread is particularly hurting adults older than age 65, who are showing up in the ER.
5. This data was of March 7. The situation is no doubt much worse now. Because these cases were not tested for COVID-19, there will be much spread to healthcare providers.
6. Business travel and spring break travel has carried/will carry this pandemic rapidly around the country. Please stay home except when absolutely essential, and maintain social distancing when you must go out.
