Fewer new COVID-19 cases in Okaloosa, Walton

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Hospitalizations for people with COVID-19 increased during the past week in Okaloosa and Walton counties. New cases are down.

In the seven-day period ending January 30, there were 104 new hospital admissions in Okaloosa County, up from 91 the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Okaloosa reported 2,875 new COVID-19 cases during the same period according to the CDC. In the previous week, 3,365 new cases were reported, a 14 percent decrease.

The testing positivity rate is 44.76 percent,  down from 48.02 percent last week.

The CDC reported less than 10 deaths in Okaloosa, reporting a 50 percent decrease. Florida suppresses its COVID-19 death data.

In Walton County, 759 new cases were reported the past week, down from 837  new cases the previous week.

There were 45 new hospital admissions, up from 36 the previous week.

Walton’s positivity rate is 43.35 percent, slightly up from 43.01 percent last week.

The CDC reports the number of deaths is less than 10, a 33.3 percent decrease.

According to the CDC, the transmission level of COVID in Okaloosa and Walton counties is “high.” It recommends that everyone in Okaloosa and Walton wear a mask in public, indoor settings.