New data from the CDC shows the Omicron variant accounts for 59% of new cases nationwide last week. That's up from 23% the previous week.

What You Need To Know

  • Early data suggests the fully vaccinated that catch Omicron suffer mild symptoms

  • On Monday 11,000 COVID-19 tests were performed in Orange County

  • Monday also set a record for single day positive cases with 2,500 recorded

  • Orange County will open a third testing site located at the South Orange Youth Sports Complex at 11800 South Orange Ave

Early data suggests that those who are fully vaccinated and catch Omicron suffer from mild symptoms and are likely not going to be hospitalized.

Epidemiologists say whether someone has been vaccinated or not, catching Omicron does not help prevent you from catching the variant or virus again. “You can still get Delta, you can still get Omicron,” Dr. Ankush Bansal, fellow of American College of Preventive Medicine says. “Let’s say you had Delta and did well with Delta, you survived that, you can still theoretically get Delta again, you can get Omicron. Just because you got vaccinated or you have had the disease does not mean you can not get COVID again.”

The recent Omicron spike being seen throughout the country led to multiple Central Florida testing sites shutting down early after reaching capacity on Tuesday. By noon on Tuesday at Barnett Park there was already a five hour wait to get tested. Orange County's second testing site at Econ Soccer Complex also reached capacity a little after 1 p.m. Testing will reopen tomorrow, Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Monday was a record day for Orange County with nearly 11,000 COVID-19 tests performed between their two free testing sites. It also was a record day of new single day positive cases being recorded with over 2,500.

That is why the county now plans to open a third testing site this Thursday. That site will be at the South Orange Youth Sports Complex at 11800 South Orange Ave. The test site is expecting to open this Thursday at 9 a.m.

Dr. Raul Pino of the Department of Health said the county could have five testing sites right now and they all would be full with a two hour wait. “We can not meet the demand that is needed,” Pino said.

Orange  County Mayor Jerry Demings also announced Tuesday that a mandatory mask mandate will be back in place for all county workers.

According to Demings more than 80 county employees currently have COVID-19 with a majority of the cases coming from the Fire Department.

With two bowl games in town this week, plus large crowds expected for New Years, he says his hands are tied when it comes to trying to keep county residents safe.

“Here at the local level our ability to hold accountable, to enforce, any of the safety protocols has now been legislatively taken away as a result of the special session,” Demings said Tuesday. “I think Florida residents should be outraged about it. Because that simply means more individuals are going to be exposed to COVID-19.”

The current county positivity rate is now 14.6% with more than 25% of those cases coming from those ages 25-34 and there’s no shortage of ICU beds in the hospital system. Currently 31% of ICU beds are available.

According to Dr. Pino, the DOH is working on testing strategies for Orange County Public Schools. He also says that DOH has requested 200,000 test kits for school campuses.