LAKELAND Polk County and Florida saw nearly record-breaking numbers of new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, as health care officials await word of possible federal approval of a second vaccine.
There were 466 new COVID-19 cases reported in Polk on Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Health s daily report. Of these, 432 were state residents and 34 were non-state residents, possibly either tourists or snowbirds. This is the county s second-highest day for new infections, following the 505 cases reported July 18. It brings the county s total to 32,432.
Florida reported 13,148 new cases Thursday, based on the state agency s report. This is the state s third highest day for new infections following July 11 and July 15, when Florida reported more than 15,000 cases.
Polk sees uptick in COVID-19 testing as cases climb, holidays approach
LAKELAND More Lakeland residents are seeking COVID-19 testing, whether it be because they have a stuffy nose or want to go home for the holidays. There are places to get tested for free, depending on your needs.
Lakeland Regional Health has seen an uptick in the number of people seeking to be tested for the virus at its main drive-thru site on the medical center s Lakeland campus, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Audette. What was a steady stream of about 60 vehicles a day is now averaging 90 to 100. The volume of our drive-thru testing center has increased greatly, she said.
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Poorly designed, time-consuming electronic health record user interfaces are a common and longstanding complaint among doctors and nurses.
Interfaces that are not intuitive or that require too much effort to accomplish necessary recordkeeping can push clinicians – many of whom already are charting at home after hours – too far. It’s just more stress on top of existing burnout, especially during the pandemic.
In this seventh feature story in the
Healthcare IT News Burnout in the Age of COVID-19 series, usability experts from three top EHR vendors and one top technology design firm outline the user interface/user experience problems that physicians and nurses have encountered, solutions to these problems, and where EHR and health IT usability is headed in the future.
COVID Florida: Polk added more than 2,000 cases last week theledger.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theledger.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The holiday season in Polk County makes it clear that for many, the arts are an essential business. And they re worth saving. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, said Will Ferrell s character Buddy the Elf in in the 2003 hit comedy Elf. But in 2020, singing loud for all to hear might be the best way to spread COVID-19, which is considerably less cheerful. And as cases continue to rise across Florida, this holiday season could quickly become dangerous.
That doesn t mean you have to abandon your favorite, time-honored December traditions. Going to see The Nutcracker and enjoying the instrumental renditions of your favorite Christmas melodies are still possible this year, even if they look a little different.