Most new COVID-19 cases in Alachua County fall in the college student age range.
The county reported 123 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total to 5,943 positive cases, according to the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard. Since UF and Santa Fe students returned, the number of cases has increased.
Four deaths were reported Friday, bringing the total to 40 deaths since the pandemic hit Alachua County in March, according to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard. The Alligator reached out to Paul Myers, administrator of the county health department, for more information but did not receive a response as of the late Friday afternoon.
About 86% of the Thursday reported cases were in the 15-24 age range, according to a COVID-19 county summary. The average age of positive residents in the county is 31, compared to the state average of 40.
Only 5% of all cases are linked to long-term care facilities, according to the summary. Two percent of cases are in correctional facilities, like the Alachua County Jail.
The percent of positive tests is at 9.23% of tests as of Thursday, according to the county’s dashboard.
