The Department of Health in Calhoun and Liberty County (DOH-Calhoun/Liberty) is reporting a surge in COVID-19 cases and urges all citizens to take precautions during the New Year’s holiday celebrations. The positivity rate for Calhoun and Liberty County greatly surpasses the statewide rate. The updated 7-day average percent positivity for Calhoun County is 23.22% and 19.19% for Liberty County; compared to the statewide rate of 10.86%.
Calhoun County reported 175 new cases in the past 2 weeks, bringing the total cases to 1,183. There have been 49 hospitalizations and 28 deaths reported. Liberty County reported an additional 67 cases during the same 2-week time-frame, bringing the total case count to 721. Hospitalizations increased to 18 and 14 deaths have been reported.
As cases continue to rise, the community is reminded to practice preventative measures as families gather during the upcoming holidays. Rachel Bryant, Health Officer, states, “community safety is our top priority and we must remain vigilant in our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Remember to stay home if you are sick, wash hands often, social distance and wear a mask if social distancing is not possible.”
At this time, a limited amount of COVID-19 vaccine has been received by Calhoun and Liberty County Health Departments. DOH-Calhoun/Liberty will continue to work with community partners to provide vaccines to the following priority groups identified in Governor Desantis’ Executive Order:
• long-term care facility residents and staff;
• Persons 65 years of age and older; and
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact.
DOH-Calhoun/Liberty will begin administering vaccines to Health Care personnel on Monday, January 4, 2021; followed by persons 65 years of age and older. Please call 850-674-5645 or 850-643-2415 to be added to the list and receive further information.
CVS and Walgreens have contracted with the state to provide vaccinations to long-term care facility residents and staff. As of December 28, 2020, 11 residents in Calhoun County and 7 residents in Liberty County have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information:
Please visit the Department's dedicated COVID-19 webpage at
www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19. This remains the best and most up-to-date resource for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department's dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121 or emailing
COVID-19@flhealth.gov. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. DOH-Calhoun and Liberty is also operating a call center in house and may be reached at 850-674-5645 or 850-643-2415. Please press 1 from the automated menu. The local call center is available from 7:30a.m.-4:00p.m, Monday-Friday.
In addition, please visit
http://www.floridahealth.gov/all-county-locations.html to locate and obtain contact information for your local CHD.
The CDC also has a website with information related to COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
About the Florida Department of Health:
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit
www.FloridaHealth.gov.
