Flagler 'in for another couple rough weeks' with COVID-19 as schools reopen

Palm Coast Observer
News

Although the number of Flagler County residents getting a COVID-19 vaccine is rising, the current COVID surge is expected to last for at least two more weeks, overwhelmingly affecting people who are unvaccinated.

Here's where to get vaccinated or tested

With the start of school and continued increases in the number of COVID cases reported each week, the Flagler County Health Department (DOH-Flagler) continues to expand its testing and vaccination clinics.

Testing appointments and vaccinations are now available seven days a week at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell and testing five days a week at 120 Airport Road, second floor.

Please consider the following when contacting the health department for COVID-19 testing or vaccination:

Weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 120 Airport Road, second floor, in Palm Coast is for the testing of students, parents, teachers and school staff. No appointments are necessary. This site does not provide vaccinations.
Weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd in Bunnell offers both drive-thru testing and walk-in Pfizer vaccinations. This drive-thru is designated for people with COVID symptoms, by appointment. Appointments fill quickly and can be scheduled by calling 386-437-7350 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
No appointments are necessary for walk-in vaccinations, offered exclusively at the 301 Dr. Carter location. The Pfizer vaccine is available for anyone age 12 and older.
NEW! Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell will host testing for Flagler students, teachers and school staff who are considered close contacts of a confirmed COVID cases. These are individuals who have quarantined for at least four days and are testing as part of the “Test to Return” program.
The health department does not offer testing for travel verification at this time.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and testing efforts locally please call 386-437-7350, Ext. 0 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

— Gretchen Smith, DOH-Flagler communications manager

"We’re in for another couple rough weeks," Dr. Stephen Bickel, medical director for the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County, said on Flagler Broadcasting's "Free For All Friday. "It’s hard to digest how contagious this Delta variant is. ... I urge people to take this very seriously now," he added. "This is worse, even, than last year."

"That’s the first time that we’ve had so many."

— BOB SNYDER, Florida Department of Health in Flagler County health officer, on positive cases in children

The health department had started its positive case list that day with 70 cases — half of them children in the local school system, said Florida Department of Health-Flagler Health Officer Bob Snyder. Previous high numbers had been in the teens.

"That’s the first time that we’ve had so many," Snyder said.

The majority of the children who've tested positive have symptoms, though none locally have been hospitalized.

However, although the health department is tracking a 77% increase in positive test results, it has also seen a 95% increase in vaccinations: 1,236 people have been vaccinated over a seven-day period.

"We’re seeing that statewide, so that’s the good news," Snyder said. "I think the Delta variant has gotten people’s attention.”

The department is vaccinating and testing every day. Still, though, there are more people coming in for testing than for vaccination.

"And gosh, we want it to be the other way around," Snyder said.

The surge is straining staff at AdventHealth Palm Coast.

"Staff is extremely tired," AdventHealth Palm Coast chief operating officer Wally De Aquino said. "… We’re hoping that this is not going to continue to turn worse."

The hospital has halted all elective services.

The county government and local city governments are working with the health department on a campaign of public service announcements promoting vaccination, masking and social distancing, Snyder said.