VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County leaders said Friday that they are encouraging all community members to wear face masks as health experts say the COVID-19 positivity rate in the county is rising despite increased rates of testing.
Since March 1, the state has reported 1,117 cases of the virus in Volusia County. On Friday, the county saw an increase of 60 new cases over 24 hours.
Recommended Videos
Communications Manager for the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County Holly Smith explained that until the last few days the increase in new cases was due to more testing.
“Looking at the trend of new cases over the past 14 days, there has been a significant increase in recent days in Volusia County,” Smith said. “We’ve been watching the number of new cases, along with the positivity rate that you’ve been hearing so much about, those two things give us a better picture, and until the last few days we’ve pointed out that the increase in testing was the primary reason for the increase in the cases. The numbers from the last few days are not only a result of increased testing.”
Smith said that since last Friday, the county’s 14-day positivity rate has increased to a little more than 3%, but said that in the last three days, the positivity rate grew to more than 8%.
Like other areas across Florida, new cases are appearing in younger residents.
“And, again, not only are we seeing the increase in positive cases of COVID-19, but that daily positive positivity rate is increasing,” Smith said. “Over the past two weeks we’ve seen a large increase in positive cases in people aged 20 to 34. And, in fact, 40% of the new cases from the past 14 days are in that age range. Again, 40% of the people aged 20 to 34 that are in our new cases over the past 14 days. In other words, younger people are testing positive for COVID-19 here in Volusia County.”
[READ MORE: Florida’s COVID-19 spike continues with 3,822 new reported cases, shattering previous record]
Smith said that about one third of the people who test positive for COVID-19 in Volusia County, do not have symptoms, indicating that asymptomatic spread is contributing to the spread of coronavirus.
Despite the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the region, Volusia County leaders said they will not, at this point, enforce the mandatory use of face masks in the county.
“In our view, at this time, (mandating face masks) is difficult to enforce. Our objective is voluntary compliance with getting people to wear their face masks, and we feel the most effective approach to make that happen is by continuing to hammer the point to wear the mask,” said Kevin Captain, Volusia County community information director. “It’s not all about real regulation. It’s more about our community taking care of itself and others for our health, and for our economy.”
Captain said that health experts in the region agreed “that wearing a face mask does without a doubt, prevent the spread of the disease, COVID-19,” saying that’s why the county is “emphasizing the importance” of wearing such face coverings.
Ray Manchester, director of Volusia County Beach Safety, also acknowledged that as the county heads into the Father’s Day weekend, the need for enhanced safety should be top of mind.
[TIMELINE: The spread of coronavirus in Florida]
“In this COVID-19 environment we’re always reminding everyone to park in front of a post either one of the conservation posts or one of the blue markers with your vehicles (when going to the beach) and to also maintain your social distancing… it’s less than 50 people so all that being said be safe,” Manchester said.
As of Friday, the FDOH reported 1,117 total cases of COVID-19 in Volusia County since the virus was first detected in the state on March 1, as well as a total of 53 deaths and 187 total hospitalizations.
To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.