Key takeaways from Orange Co. COVID-19 news conference; 20.07% rolling positivity rate and update on wastewater surveillance

Editor's note and article update, August 13, 2021, 1:52pm: The Apopka Voice reached out to the Orange County Utilities Department and spoke with Sarah Lux, the Public Information Officer regarding COVID-19 in the wastewater. Specifically we asked if a person could get COVID-19 via the reclaimed water, and she answered "No - no virus remains in the water after it is treated." She went on to explain that even the raw wastewater only has "dead, non-viable fragments" of COVID-19, which, even in the raw form would not transmit the virus to people. She explained that the raw wastewater is then "heavily treated" and is "extremely clean", so not even the dead, non-viable fragments are in the water by the time it gets to a property to be used as reclaimed water for irrigation.

From the Orange County Newsroom

As of Wednesday, August 11, 2021, the Florida Department of Health is reporting that Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is 20.07 percent. Additional County statistics include:

• CDC level of community transmission: HIGH
• Eligible residents (12+) who have one vaccine dose: 65.14 percent
• Single-day positivity rate for Wednesday, August 11, 2021: 20.41 percent
• Total positive cases for Orange County residents: 183,330
• Total deaths in Orange County: 1,442 (since the beginning of the pandemic)

APOPKA LOCATION: ORANGE CO. HEALTH SERVICES COVID-19 TESTING SITES

Orange County Health Services continues to offer free testing at three drive-thru testing sites across the County. Residents interested in getting a COVID-19 test are urged to arrive early to ensure they can be accommodated before the sites close. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccinations are NOT available at these sites.

• Former site of Clarcona Elementary School - 3607 Damon Rd, Apopka, FL 32703 - Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached. No walk-ups, only four (4) persons per vehicle.

• Barnett Park - 4801 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808 - Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached. No walk-ups, only four (4) persons per vehicle.
• Econ Soccer Complex - 8035 Yates Road, Orlando 32807 - Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached. No walk-ups, only four (4) persons per vehicle.

For additional COVID-19 testing locations, please visit ocfl.net/Testing.

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

In partnership with the Orange County Library System, Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program will host in-person “office-hours” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at select library branches across the County for the remainder of August. Staff will be available during these hours to answer questions and to assist applicants applying for the program.

• South Trail Branch – Tuesdays, August 17, 24

  4600 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando FL 32839

• South Creek Branch – Wednesdays, August 18, 25

  1702 Deerfield Blvd., Orlando FL 32837

• Fairview Shores Branch – Thursdays, August 19, 26

  902 Lee Road, Suite 26 Orlando FL 32810

• Chickasaw Branch – Fridays, August 13, 20, 27

  870 N. Chickasaw Trail, Orlando FL 32825

It is important for applicants to know that staff will not be able to fill out their application for them. The applicant will still need to use the library computer to apply. Applicants must also bring all required documents for the program with them.

Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance for more information.

COVID-19 WASTEWATER MONITORING

Orange County Government’s Utilities Department continues its participation in the National Wastewater Surveillance System. Below is information from this week:

• Northwest Water Reclamation Facility: concentrations have increased from 154,243 in June to 2,090,649 on August 5 - that is a 1,255% increase in approximately a 10-week timeframe

• Eastern Water Reclamation Facility

  concentrations have increased from 267,916 in May to 1,237,263 on August 9

  362 percent increase in approximately a 14-week timeframe

• Southern Water Reclamation Facility

  concentrations have increased from 149,113 in May to 1,307,889 on August 9

  777 percent increase in approximately a 14-week timeframe