Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to floridatoday.com Click here and subscribe today.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Brevard, while still low, increased this past week, according to CDC data. Cases continued to show a decline.

From March 23 to March 29, the CDC data tracker showed that there were 13 new COVID-19 admissions in Brevard County. This is almost double last week which saw seven confirmed COVID-19 admissions. The data also showed that about 2.7% of ICU beds and 1.3% of inpatient beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients in hospitals countywide. Since the prior week, the amount of COVID-19 patients occupying ICU beds and inpatient beds went down. Though the CDC does not clarify why occupancy went down, the decrease could mean that more patients were discharged this past week.

Tell stories of those lost:COVID-19's toll on the Space Coast: Help us tell the stories of those we've lost

BA.2 omicron variant in Florida:COVID-19: Here's what experts say to expect from the BA.2 omicron subvariant

How safe are Floridians from COVID? State overcounts vaccinations by 600,000 people

In spite of the increase in hospitalizations, cases went down from March 24 to March 30. According to the CDC, the Space Coast had 26.91 cases per 100,000 population. And, from March 22 to March 28, of the 5,220 COVID-19 tests taken 2.53% came back positive. This could be an undercount because most at-home test kits do not get counted and those who may have signs and symptoms may choose not to take a COVID-19 test. 

Based on new CDC transmission guidelines, this makes the Space Coast a community of low transmission. Old CDC guidelines would have categorized Brevard County as a community of moderate transmission, when cases per 100,000  population are between 10 and 40 and the positivity rate is between 5% and 8%

COVID-19 deaths on the Space Coast also declined this past week. From March 19 to March 26, there were two COVID-19 related deaths. Since the start of the pandemic, 1,949 people have died of COVID-19 in Brevard County.

Though cases continue to decrease and Brevard County continues to maintain its status as a community of low transmission, experts warn that the US may follow Europe and Asia's footsteps and experience another surge. And according to experts, the best way to shield against COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths is to get vaccinated. Yet, the Space Coast’s vaccination rate hasn't increased much during the past two months. Some 67.4% of the eligible population— those ages five and older— have been fully vaccinated. Though, 78.8% of the eligible Space Coast residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine. 

According to CDC data, Florida’s vaccination rate has followed the same pattern as Brevard County’s vaccination rate: fewer Floridians are getting vaccinated each week. Statewide, 78.6% of eligible Floridians have received at least one dose of a vaccine sequence and only 66.4% of Floridians have been fully vaccinated. The CDC tracker also showed that there were 46.4 cases per 100,000 population from March 23 to March 30.

Nationwide, there have been 79,904,464 COVID-19 cases and 977,495 deaths since the start of the pandemic. And only 69.7% of the population is fully vaccinated.

The following Brevard County Emergency Management Office-supported sites are available for COVID-19 testing. 

Testing also is available to established or new Omni Healthcare patients at  its offices in Brevard County. To book an appointment, patients can call their Omni doctor's office.

Various other urgent-care centers, private physicians' offices and pharmacies also provide COVID-19 tests, and some retailers sell in-home test kits. Additionally, the website www.211Brevard.org has a list of sites offering testing. Some of those sites require reservations, while others allow walk-ins.

The Florida Department of Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines at three sites.

Residents also can get vaccinated at Omni Healthcare's offices, as well as at its walk-in vaccination clinic located in Suite 303 on the third floor of 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. in Melbourne, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Vaccinations also are available from 9 a.m. to noon in Suite 2C of Omni's 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. complex.

Walk-ins are accepted. But appointments can be made by calling 321-802-5515 or by emailing the request and including a name and phone number to COVID@OMNIhealthcare.com. 

COVID-19 vaccines also are available at pharmacies at various local CVS, Publix, Sam’s Club, Walgreens, Walmart and Winn-Dixie stores, as well as some urgent-care centers and physician offices. Check the individual site for appointment requirements and vaccine availability.

Amira Sweilem is the data reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Sweilem at 386-406-5648 or asweilem@floridatoday.com. 

Support local journalism. Subscribe today.