Monkeypox cases tripled this month in Florida despite CDC optimism nationwide
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This month, the number of reported cases of the monkeypox virus in Florida has increased by more than three times its previous level. However, health officials say there is cause for optimism despite the situation.
There have been a little more than 1,900 confirmed cases in the state of Florida, as shown by the statistics provided by the Florida Department of Health. According to the healthcare experts, the majority of the instances have been detected in either Miami-Dade or Broward counties. According to the CDC, there are more than 18,000 cases throughout the country. Florida is keeping pace behind California and New York in terms of the total number of cases.
The “Equity Intervention pilot” program was developed by the federal government as part of the response to the virus. Those individuals who are having trouble finding an appointment or are concerned about the stigma would get access to up to 50,000 more vaccines through this program.
At this time, the majority of the instances that have been recorded have been among individuals of African and Hispanic origin. However, these populations have disproportionate access to vaccines. For instance, around 10% of dosages have been administered to Black Americans, but the population accounted for one-third of instances during the last few weeks.
According to the Director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, there is some reason to be optimistic that the virus’s spread is slowing down. According to her, the message of harm reduction is spreading, and people are working together in order to change the curve.
During this next weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will hand out vaccines at two events: the Southern Decadence Festival in New Orleans and the Atlanta Black Pride event.
