Lindsey Leake, Treasure Coast Newspapers
If it’s been a while since you last wore a mask in public or consciously stood 6 feet apart from others, you’re not alone. But just because the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended three months ago doesn’t mean infections have subsided.
The Treasure Coast’s eighth wave of coronavirus infections, which began in May, continued to rise in June and July, according to a TCPalm analysis of Florida Department of Health data. So did the state’s 10th wave.
Since the national emergency ended May 11, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties collectively have had over 3,200 new cases — almost double those recorded in March, April and May combined. Local hospitals have seen weekly influxes of infected patients, and nearly 30% of Treasure Coast residents remain unvaccinated.
However, this latest surge pales in comparison to those of the last three summers. In 2021, for example, during the height of the delta variant, over 27,100 locals became infected from June through August.
The region’s ongoing eighth wave is “due to summer travel, crowded airports and cruises, and confirmed by wastewater sampling around the nation,” said Dr. Lyssette Cardona, chair of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health’s infectious diseases department. “This is a reflection that this virus is endemic,” meaning it’s a constant presence in the community.
Cases may continue to rise in the coming weeks, Cardona said, as students settle into the new school year, some people continue their travels and flu season begins. She’s optimistic an updated fall booster shot may help stave off a winter wave.
While a new omicron subvariant — formally named EG.5 and unofficially dubbed “eris” — accounts for the plurality of new cases nationwide, Cardona has not seen it correlate to more severe infections, she said. The World Health Organization on Aug. 9 classified EG.5 a “variant of interest.”
COVID cases
June cases (difference from May)
Indian River: 289 (211% increase) Martin: 367 (143% increase) St. Lucie: 758 (291% increase) Treasure Coast: 1,414 (223% increase) Florida: 40,096 (186% increase)
July cases (difference from June)
Martin: 346 (6% decrease) Indian River: 446 (54% increase) St. Lucie: 779 (3% increase) Treasure Coast: 1,571 (11% increase) Florida: 45,772 (14% increase)
Post-public health emergency cases
Indian River: 803 Martin: 805 St. Lucie: 1,682 Treasure Coast: 3,290 Florida: 96,369