The past week saw more pandemic records shattered here with 874 new coronavirus cases – including 71 new cases on the barrier island –and 16 deaths from complications of COVID-19.
With an average of 125 new infections daily, the weekly case total was 8.7 percent higher than the previous week. For comparison, an average of 55 people per day tested positive during the surge in July.
Hospitalizations eased slightly, but still ranged from 38 to 46 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, topping peak summer surge numbers.
Local seniors continued to struggle for vaccine appointments and did not mind lining up to get the shot at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, and at Cleveland Clinic Indian River’s vaccine distribution centers.
Steward Sebastian River Medical Center got its first shipment of vaccine last week for its frontline caregivers, according to Florida Department of Health vaccine distribution reports.
State reports show that nearly 5,000 Indian River County residents have been vaccinated, so roughly one in 30 locals. More than 5,000 shots actually have been given here, but the report only captures permanent residents.
“The numbers are generated by residency,” said Indian River Health Department spokesperson Stacy Brock. “For example, if someone is from outside of Indian River or Florida, they will not be included in Indian River’s vaccine count even though they may have been vaccinated in our county. We do not generate these reports locally.”
Brock said the Health Department and its partners have distributed 1,400 doses of vaccine. More shots will be given this week as hundreds of appointments booked up in minutes.
At a press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis in Vero on Jan. 7, County Commissioner Peter O’Bryan asked the governor for more vaccine because the demand is so high. O’Bryan said the first 1,000 appointments to be vaccinated at the Indian River County Fairgrounds center hosted by the Health Department and Treasure Coast Community Health were booked in seven minutes.
Elderly Indian River Shores residents confused about how and where to get their shot reached out to the town’s public safety officers – trained helpers who, in this case, had no ability to help.
“Very frustrated residents!” said Shores Public Safety Capt. Mark Shaw. “Any complaints are being forwarded to the Health Department. Unfortunately, we have no control or say in any of it.”
Anyone interested in getting vaccinated should sign up for ALERT Indian River at www.ircgov.com and also check the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital website frequently at www.CCIRH.org and look for the red COVID-19 vaccine banner.