AFC, NFC championship games feature early-season rematches
Florida coronavirus: 52 hospitals max out ICU capacity as cases increase
by: Mahsa Saeidi
Posted: Jul 10, 2020 / 06:38 PM EDT / Updated: Jul 13, 2020 / 04:56 AM EDT
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A total of 52 Florida hospitals had no available intensive care unit beds on Friday – including six facilities in Hillsborough County – as coronavirus cases rise throughout the state.
Florida hit a new record overnight as 435 more people were hospitalized for coronavirus. Late Friday, Florida finally released a breakdown of coronavirus hospitalizations per county.
As hospitalizations increase, deaths and cases climbed this week too.
Multiple frontline workers tell 8 On Your Side they're worried about what's around the corner.
One of them is Linda White, a surgical tech in St. Petersburg.
"We're really at a peak now," said White.
According to state data, there were just 23 ICU beds available in Pinellas County as of 5 p.m. Friday.
"The mood is uncertainty, we don't really know when it's going to end or how it's going to end or how it's going to affect us," said White.
At a news conference on Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state still has thousands of empty beds.
"We've got the census today, I think between 10 and 12 or 13 thousand – somewhere like that – beds are available," said Gov. DeSantis. "There'll be articles saying 'oh my gosh, they're at 90%.' Well, that's how hospitals normally run."
As he sends 100 contract nurses to Tampa Bay, Gov. DeSantis is urging Floridians to seek medical help for all emergencies — COVID and non-COVID related.
"We have a situation where you've got a lot of beds available. No major system, or nobody that we've seen yet, has even gone to a surge level," said Gov. DeSantis.
On the job for nearly 20 years, White hopes the surge never comes.
"We're just going into work headstrong and trying to do the best that we can do to get through this dilemma together," said White. "Please wear your mask."
If you are a frontline healthcare worker and you would like to share your story, please send an email to Mahsa Saeidi at MSaeidi@WFLA.com
LATEST ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC:
More Investigations Stories
by Mahsa Saeidi / Jan 14, 2021
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- 8 On Your Side is continuing to fight for answers after we exposed there are nearly one million unused doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida.
Right now, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows nearly one million first doses of vaccines have yet to be used in Florida. And despite Gov. Ron DeSantis' statements, 8 On Your Side uncovered the vaccine backlog does not include booster shots being held in reserve.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- As many seniors scramble to get the coronavirus shot, data from the Centers for Disease Control shows one million doses of vaccines have yet to be used in Florida. So what's the hold-up? And are the vaccines just sitting in freezers or is there a lag in reporting as Gov. Ron DeSantis suggests?
We know the demand for the vaccine currently exceeds the supply in Florida. But there's also concern the state may not be administering the shots fast enough.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- After a frustrating and rocky rollout of the coronavirus vaccine in Florida, many seniors in the state say they still don't know when or how to get the shot. But does it have to be this way? 8 On Your Side is digging into what can be learned from other states.
At times, Florida's vaccine rollout has been a free-for-all. In Lee County, it was first come, first serve. Images of seniors camped out in line went viral.
Polk County deputy arrested after written threats about U.S. Capitol riots, sheriff's office says