USF College of Public Health

Florida experienced about as many COVID-19 deaths during the month of August as it did in the 165 days — nearly six months — leading up to it, according to epidemiologist Jason Salemi.

The coronavirus pandemic and vaccine rollout have magnified inequities in Florida’s health care system, advocates say.

Researchers from USF Health recommend that schools resume mask mandates and that parents watch for signs of illness among children as the school year approaches.

Epidemiologist Jason Salemi says the large number of unvaccinated Floridians are at higher risk for serious infection as more transmissible strains of the virus spread rapidly in the community.

The researchers are looking at how a variety of external risk factors, like diet, stress and exposure to pollution or viruses, can help cause Type 1 diabetes.

The state has vaccinated 64 percent of those over the age of 18, but vaccine hesitancy continues to be a barrier, especially among younger Floridians.

Florida recently went from daily to weekly updates. Jason Salemi, a professor of epidemiology at the USF College of Public Health, talks about the changes.

Florida still performs better than most states when it comes to reporting deaths, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. USF epidemiologist Jason Salemi breaks down the numbers.

The new Florida law exempts 40 types of health care facilities, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices and ambulance providers.

The project begins by testing the use of blood thinners to reduce bad outcomes in COVID-19 patients, part of a study tied to Operation Warp Speed.