Kelly Hayes
Hillsborough County reported a positivity rate of 10.26% on Wednesday, ending nearly a week with daily rates below 10% — an indicator of mass community spread. Last Thursday, the county reported a rate of 12.15%.
Pinellas County also saw a bit of a spike in its daily positivity rate in the state’s latest county report released Thursday. The coastal county confirmed a rate of 9.18% on Wednesday, up from the past few days that reported a rate around 6%.
The mild spike in positivity rate comes as overall new cases have been declining in Tampa Bay — a hopeful sign as the area prepares to welcome visitors for Super Bowl LV this Sunday.
Hillsborough County confirmed 424 cases Wednesday. Since the start of the pandemic, the county has recorded 102,337 cases of COVID-19.
The county also added six new deaths in its latest report, bringing the virus’ death toll to 1,342 since the start of the pandemic. Five additional hospitalizations were also reported.
Pinellas County saw 296 new cases on Wednesday, as well as five additional deaths. The county has reported 60,623 cases since the onset of the pandemic, including 1,312 deaths attributed to the virus. Pinellas also reported 26 more hospitalizations.
Vaccines are also being streamlined by the counties.
Pinellas County has vaccinated 84,024 individuals so far, 22,343 of whom have completed the series. In Hillsborough, 83,249 people have been vaccinated, including 29,939 who have received their second dose.
Despite efforts to roll out the vaccine as quickly as possible, with the Super Bowl fast approaching, the city is taking stricter precautions to mitigate the potential spread. Just last week, Mayor Jane Castor issued an executive order mandating masks for events in specified zones where crowds are expected. The Super Bowl is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
