What Orlando is talking about
On Monday, Orange County recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. Mayor Jerry Demings held a press conference yesterday afternoon where he once again declared a state of emergency for the county due to rising COVID-19 infections and shared the following numbers:
- There were 1,371 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Orange County on Monday — an all-time high for our community.
- There are currently 163,903 cases of COVID-19 in Orange County. For context, just one year ago, there were 23,400.
- Sadly, 1,390 Orange County residents have died from the deadly disease since the start of the pandemic.
- Our current 14-day positivity rate is now at 15.58%, yet another all-time high. Just six weeks ago, that rate was 3.7%.
- Around 95% of people hospitalized for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, according to officials for AdventHealth.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated residents are being encouraged to wear masks in public. And as Demings so astutely stated, “The health of our community has a direct effect on the health of our economy.” A big conference pulled out from the convention center next week and cited our COVID-19 numbers as the reason.
Demings also issued an internal order requiring Orange County employees to be fully vaccinated by the end of September and to wear masks when indoors at county facilities. He urged private businesses to follow his lead, saying that he wants people to know we take COVID-19 seriously. He pleaded, “Let us become the model community for how to respond to COVID-19 and remain open at the same time.”
In other news…
🔌 The city of Orlando will soon install solar-powered Wi-Fi hotspot picnic tables in historically underserved neighborhoods in our community thanks to a $20,000 grant from AARP. The tables will go in Prince Hall Park, located in District 6, and Willows Park, located in District 5 sometime this fall and will provide residents with a place to connect to the internet, charge their wireless devices, and get some work done. (City of Orlando)
✍️ This new law bans the arrest of anyone under the age of seven. The law was named after Kaia Rolle, the now 8-year-old who was arrested two years ago (when she was six) after being accused of kicking and punching three staff members at Lucious and Emma Nixon Academy. Kaia’s family still intends on fighting to raise the minimum age from now seven to 12. (WESH)
🏀 The 2021 NBA Draft kicks off today, and you know who’s excited? The Orlando Magic organization and its fans. With new head coach Jamahl Mosley 16 days into the job, and the team holding the fifth and eighth picks, we’re crossing our fingers for a Christmas in July. (Orlando Sentinel)
🥂 There’s a new Gatsby-themed bar opening on Church Street tonight. Well, technically, it’s been in soft opening mode for a few weeks, but the opening night party is tonight at 9 p.m. and costs $20 to attend. There will be live music, 1920s-themed entertainment, and complimentary champagne. (Bungalower)
✈️ There are 300 food service jobs available — give or take — at Orlando International Airport. HMSHost is looking to fill a variety of positions, from baristas to cashiers to cooks and they’re offering sign-on benefits. (Bungalower)
🎃 Speaking of hiring sprees, Universal Orlando needs 1,300 new employees for Halloween Horror Nights duties. The annual event runs for 42 days and requires full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. (ABC)
🌱 If you’re downtown much, you’ve probably passed the Orange County Government Administration building a million times. Yesterday, the surrounding garden received a makeover as part of Orange County’s new initiative to focus on Florida-friendly landscaping and enhance biodiversity. (Fox35)