Of particular concern has been the Memorial Healthcare System in Broward County, north of Miami. This week, it had more than 1,600 patients, a record, nearly 600 of them with Covid-19. The hospital system usually does not care for more than 1,400 patients at a time.
The crush of sick people forced Memorial hospitals to make room for beds in a cafeteria, a conference center and an auditorium, Dr. Marc L. Napp, the chief medical officer, said in a news conference. “So far, I’m happy to say that we’ve been able to provide that care, but it’s not without a stress on the system,” he said.
Four conventions have already canceled their plans to meet in Orlando, Mayor Jerry Demings of Orange County said, an economic impact of nearly $44 million.
The reports about overwhelmed hospitals and the more contagious Delta variant have at least moved more people to get vaccinated, according to state and local officials. In Jacksonville, the region hit hardest by the latest surge, Berlinda Gatlin, 55, got her first dose on Thursday, worried that one of her three children could bring the virus home once they start school next week.
“I’m not happy with the governor,” she said about Mr. DeSantis’s opposition to masks in schools.
Gabriel Molina, 30, said he waited for others in his family to get vaccinated first. Once he saw they experienced no side effects, he got the shot himself, so that he would lower the risk of getting his young son sick.
“I have a 3-year-old boy I’m concerned about,” he said.
He was also concerned by other people’s growing antipathy toward masks and fears now that the virus is not going away.
“I think this is going to be a new normal,” he said.
Andrew Pantazi and Mitch Smith contributed reporting.
The post A Covid Surge in Florida Challenges Gov. Ron DeSantis, Again appeared first on The News Amed.