Florida reports 4,919 new COVID-19 cases as CDC advisers meet to discuss J&J vaccine use

ORLANDO, Fla. – Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are meeting to discuss the risks and benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following its pause in use because of several severe clot cases in the U.S.

Six women developed extreme clotting after receiving the J&J vaccine, with one 18-year-old woman receiving three brain surgeries related to the clots, according to the Associated Press. The advisers to the CDC met last week to discuss the vaccine and decided further evidence was needed before moving forward with a decision on use.

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The advisers are scheduled to meet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a portion of the meeting dedicated to assessing the risk and benefit of the vaccine, according to a draft agenda.

Earlier this week, the European Union’s drug regulatory agency said it found a “possible link” between the J&J vaccine and the rare blood clots, but ultimately decided to move forward using the vaccine with a warning added to the label.

Locally, health leaders are continuing to urge younger people to get vaccinated. In Seminole County, leaders are reporting the young adult age group is being hospitalized at an alarming rate.

“We’ve seen a significant increase as compared to prior waves on younger patients being admitted to the hospital. I’d say the average age now is around 50 years old, 45 to 50 years old,” Dr. Eduardo Oliveria with AdventHealth said. “But we have patients anywhere from 23 years old to 75 years old being admitted to our hospitals.”

[READ YESTERDAY’S REPORT: Florida sees 6,629 new COVID-19 cases as new research shows no significant risk in vaccinating pregnant women]

Find the state-run COVID-19 dashboard below:

Below is a breakdown of Florida COVID-19 data reported by the state on April 23.

Cases

The Florida Department of Health reported 4,919 new cases on Friday, bringing the state’s overall total to 2,196,502 cases since the virus was first detected on March 1, 2020.

Deaths

Florida reported 65 new virus-related deaths Friday, bringing the death toll to 35,443. This number includes the 684 non-residents who died in Florida.

Hospitalizations

As of Friday afternoon, there were currently 3,345 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration.

Since last March, 89,201 people have been hospitalized in Florida after complications from COVID-19. That number includes the 243 new patients who have been recently hospitalized due to the virus, according to the health department’s daily report released on Friday.

Positivity rate

The percent of positive results was 5.95% Thursday out of 82,646 tests. The numbers reported daily by the state reflect test results from the day prior. Health officials say the rate should remain between 5% and 10% to prove a community has a hold of the virus and is curbing infections.

Vaccinations

The Florida Department of Health began releasing a daily report in December 2020 on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

FDOH reports 5,554,268 people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These individuals either received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or completed a two-shot series.

As of Friday, 8,370,705 people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Below is the Central Florida region breakdown of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations for Friday.

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