Florida has highest rate of children hospitalized due to COVID; Cart-To-Curb cart distribution temporarily delayed; AMVETS in Dover holds charity event for veteran’s program
Florida has highest rate of children hospitalized due to COVID
Between July 24 and July 30 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found Florida had 32 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations per day. When you take that number and then adjust it via Florida’s total population it comes to 0.76 kids hospitalized per 100,000 residents, which is the highest rate in the U.S.
There were 10,785 new COVID-19 infections among children under 12 between July 23 and 29, according to the Florida Department of Health, which averages 1,540 new cases per day.
These numbers come just at the threshold of children returning back to school, which will begin county wide next week.
The quick increase nationwide of COVID cases due to the spread of the delta variant has led to the White House offering COVID-19 surge teams and federal resources to all 50 states.
A few states, like Missouri and Colorado, have accepted the federal help and surge response teams have been aiding officials in integrating federal resources into their response to the surge of COVID cases. Though 86 percent of intensive care unit beds in Florida are currently occupied, the state has not yet requested assistance.
On Tuesday, Florida hit 11,515 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which broke 2020’s record for a third day in a row. Of those, approximately 2,400 patients are in intensive care. All-in-all, approximately 95 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations and nearly all recent deaths have been among unvaccinated patients. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis is not backing down on his strong stance against mask mandates.
This has led many school boards to begin discussions on what to do regarding masks in the upcoming school year. Broward County’s school board voted to require facial coverings and then the board reversed itself after DeSantis blocked mandates and threatened to cut funding from any school districts that refuse to comply.
Cart-To-Curb cart distribution temporarily delayed
The City of Plant City Solid Waste department has begun distributing the new carts for the Cart-To-Curb automated trash collection program that is scheduled to begin its first phase the week of Aug. 30 on residents’ normally scheduled trash collection day.
As the program was being rolled out, three separate cart sizes were available to residents, all coming with different monthly fees. The sizing included 95-gallon, 65-gallon and 35-gallon carts.
Distribution for the 95-gallon and 65-gallon carts is currently proceeding as scheduled, however, an issue that occurred during manufacturing has delayed delivery of the 35-gallon carts. The Solid Waste Department is assuring all residents that are scheduled to receive a 35-gallon cart that they will receive one by Aug. 30, and that no additional action is required.
AMVETS in Dover holds charity event for veteran’s program
Thanks to the members of AMVETS Post 26 in Dover, a charity event was held and funds were raised and donated to the veteran’s program at Liberty Manor in Tampa.
AMVETS, also known as American Veterans, is the most inclusive Congressionally-chartered veterans service organization open to representing the interests of 20 million veterans and their families.
The event was championed by AMVETS 26 Commander David Baca.
Founded in 1944 and chartered by an act of Congress, the AMVETS organization has more than 250,000 members nationwide. AMVETS exists to enhance the quality of life for all veterans, their families and survivors. Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who honorably served or is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. AMVETS has made a long-term economic impact by providing assistance, jobs, and services to veterans and their communities for more than 70 years. AmVets is also known for their annual Silver Helmet Awards to “recognize excellence and achievement in Americanism, defense, rehabilitation, congressional service and other fields.” Sometimes called the “Veterans Oscar,” the award is shaped like a silver WWII helmet and several famous Americans including Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Henry Kissinger and Pope Paul IV, among others, have been recipients of the award through the years.
