WELLINGTON, Fla. — New numbers released last week by the Florida Department of Health showed an increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate in the Sunshine State.
South Florida saw one of the biggest spikes in cases, but pharmacists and physicians believe the infection rate could be much higher.
The current COVID-19 positivity rate is hovering at about 20% in South Florida.
Doctors continue to urge the public to take precautions like handwashing, protecting the elderly and avoiding crowded spaces that have little ventilation.
Scripps News
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again
So, is it safe to take a trip before the end of summer?
"If you can avoid it, avoid it — plain and simple as that. That's my message," Dr. Leslie Diaz said. "If you can put it off to another time, I would do that."
Wellington pharmacist Franck Kacou has been busy guiding patients through this surge in COVID cases.
"Statewide, when we saw the data, it's about a 20% increase in the state," Kacou said.
He said patients visiting his pharmacy have increased but their cases are mild.
"We see people coming in [saying], 'Hey, I think I have a cold or I have allergies,'" Kacou said. "So, a lot of sneezing, not [necessarily] in the lungs, it's just really in the nose."
It's the reason Kacou believes the positivity rates are actually higher than 20%, as patients confuse their COVID-19 symptoms for the common cold.
"People are not testing as much as they used to, but more importantly, people are confused about the way it's presenting," Kacou said. "They're like, 'You know what, I'm not gonna test because it's probably a cold.' and that's the danger."
So what are the symptoms?
Generally speaking, it's sneezing, runny nose, head cold coughing but not as much fever or extreme fatigue.
The good news is that Diaz said she expected the virus to morph over time and become less virulent or deadly.