COVID cases are increasing in Florida, and Leon County is following suit.

Doctors in the capital and county have begun treating more patients with “virus-like symptoms” over the past month, but Dr. Dean Watson, chief integration officer at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, said those who test positive for COVID recover quickly and do not become severely ill.

“Very few of the COVID cases we have seen recently at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare have required hospitalization,” Watson said.

According to COVID data from the Florida Department of Health, Leon County had 93 COVID cases as of June 21, the highest number since March 1, when 143 cases were recorded.

The number of cases documented nationwide also increased significantly during the same period. According to FDOH data, there were 6,725 cases on March 1 and 10,721 on June 21.

The CDC says hospitalization rates in Florida are still low, but hospital visits due to the virus are increasing.

Watson said the recent surge in cases in Leon County has put less strain on the hospital than previous COVID spikes because the respiratory virus has now become endemic, meaning it is constantly present. There are fewer than 10 patients currently hospitalized with COVID at TMH, he said.

Access to testing and vaccinations is widely available in the community through primary care physicians and other local health resources. Watson said anyone experiencing mild symptoms should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines on isolation, mask wearing and hygiene.

“We urge anyone in our community who is experiencing COVID symptoms to contact their primary care physician for testing and advice,” Watson said. “Anyone who is experiencing life-threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or fainting should seek emergency medical attention immediately.”

Are there new COVID variants?

According to the CDC, new variants of the virus continue to emerge. Currently, three strains are responsible for infections nationwide: the KP.3 strain is responsible for 33% of infections, the KP.2 strain is responsible for almost 21% of infections, and the LB.1 strain is responsible for almost 18% of infections.

There is no evidence that these new variants cause more severe infections.

Symptoms may include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, congestion, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Some people experience loss of taste or smell, a “fog” in the brain and an upset stomach.

How do I make sure my vaccinations are up to date?

On June 27, the CDC released an update on COVID vaccinations for this fall and winter.

The agency recommends a booster vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, whether or not they have been previously vaccinated. The virus that causes COVID is constantly changing, and protection from vaccines wanes over time, the CDC says.

“Administering an updated COVID-19 vaccine for 2024–2025 can restore and improve protection against the virus variants that are currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States,” the CDC said.

What are the latest COVID isolation rules?

In March, the CDC relaxed isolation recommendations for people with COVID-19, which had previously been five days. Experts now advise citizens to stay home if they feel sick, regardless of whether a test is positive or not, and to come back when they are fever-free for 24 hours.

These recommendations are similar to those for other common respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Reporters CA Bridges and Eduardo Cuevas of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, and reporter Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News, also part of the USA TODAY Network, contributed to this report.Elena Barrera, breaking and trending news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County, Florida sees rise in COVID cases in last month