NEWS: 1 in 5 Recent U.S. COVID-19 Cases Have Come from Florida

Though crowds have returned to Disney World and many things are going back to “normal” in the parks and resorts, there have been recent concerns about the COVID-19 case numbers in Florida.

Jungle Cruise Crowds

Just this week, LA County health officials have suggested that residents “reconsider” their travel to the sunshine state, and Florida’s Orange County Mayor has recommended returning to wearing face masks indoors in the area. And, now new data has been released on the spread of the virus in the state.

According to Yahoo News, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Jeff Zients, has shared that Florida is one of four states that have accounted for “more than 40% of all [COVID-19] cases in the past week.” And, among those four states, one in five of the cases are being reported from Florida.

Crowds at EPCOT

Other states reporting high numbers of cases include Arkansas, Louisana, Missouri, and Nevada.

Crowds in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In discussing the rise in cases, Zients referenced the low vaccination rate in the state, stating that 47% of the Florida population is considered fully vaccinated, with about 55% having received at least one dose. This is below the U.S. partial vaccination rate which currently stands just under 70%.

But, vaccination rates are on the rise in these five states and they’ve reported a “higher rate of people getting newly vaccinated than the national average” recently.

©Jeff Vahle

This data comes as areas across the country begin taking more precautions against rising cases of COVID-19 (especially with the delta variant becoming a more dominant strain), and vaccine companies work to gain authorization for its use in children under the age of 12.

Of course, we will continue to keep an eye out for more updates, so be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest information as you make your Disney World vacation plans.