JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Amid a nationwide summer season spike in COVID-19 circumstances, Florida is reportedly experiencing one of many highest will increase, prompting well being specialists to warn residents to take the scenario very severely and undertake protecting and academic measures.Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff has examined constructive for COVID-19 and is experiencing delicate signs. Nonetheless, Vice President Kamala Harris has examined damaging and stays asymptomatic.This comes amid a summer season spike in COVID-19 circumstances throughout the nation, together with Florida prompting well being specialists to warn residents to take the scenario very severely and implement protecting measures. In line with the most recent knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), Florida ranks among the many highest of any state throughout this wave.Charges of COVID-19 have surged in emergency rooms over current weeks, nearing peaks not seen for the reason that worst days of this previous winter’s wave.Along with emergency room visits, different key metrics in Florida, akin to wastewater and nursing dwelling knowledge, have additionally seen steep will increase.Chart from the CDC illustrating COVID-19 emergency room sufferers in Florida by way of July 2, 2024. Chart supplied by the Middle for Illness and Prevention READ: Florida emergency rooms see a surge in COVID-19 circumstances, nearing final winter’s peakAction Information Jax spoke to Dr. Jeffrey Goldhagen, the previous Director of the Duval Division of Well being, who stated the uptick is to be anticipated since we’ve extra variants and those that are unvaccinated are inclined.“Sadly, the help for COVID testing will not be what it was through the pandemic, however these COVID exams are nonetheless obtainable by way of pharmacies. Folks do must take this very severely,” Dr. Goldhagen stated.Traditionally, COVID-19 exercise has picked up not less than twice a yr for the reason that pandemic started: as soon as through the summer season or early fall after a spring lull, and once more within the winter. Nonetheless, the CDC now states that COVID-19 exercise patterns noticed usually are not seasonal and might surge at any time of the yr, usually pushed by new variants.Dr. Goldhagen added “Over 1,000,000 individuals died through the pandemic. Most of these individuals who did had been really not vaccinated. The vaccines that do work. In the event that they wish to take that threat for themselves, they will for positive, however they do must vaccinate their kids, and definitely these round them which can be an excellent threat.”At present, the KP.2 and KP.3 variants are the commonest nationwide, chargeable for greater than half of current circumstances. Different variants, akin to LB.1 and KP.4.1, are additionally contributing to the present rise.Dr. Goldhagen additionally warned of the potential for an additional pandemic with the H1N1 chook flu virus. Whereas the present public well being risk is low, he emphasised that if we don’t be taught from our expertise with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are going to make the identical errors with future viruses.To guard themselves and others, individuals are urged to observe these pointers:Get Vaccinated:Put on Masks:Put on fitted masks akin to respirators like N95, particularly in crowded indoor areas or the place social distancing will not be potential.Common Testing:Make the most of obtainable COVID-19 exams, particularly you probably have signs or have been uncovered to somebody with COVID-19.Observe Good Hygiene:Wash palms continuously with cleaning soap and water for not less than 20 seconds, and use hand sanitizer when cleaning soap will not be obtainable.Keep Knowledgeable:Keep away from Crowded Locations:Defend Susceptible Populations:Be aware of these at larger threat, such because the aged and people with preexisting circumstances.For extra info and assets, go to the CDC’s COVID-19 web page or your native well being division’s web site.[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]Click on right here to obtain the free Motion Information Jax information and climate apps, click on right here to obtain the Motion Information Jax Now app in your sensible TV and click on right here to stream Motion Information Jax reside.