According to the Florida Department of Health, the state has reported 1,958 covid deaths so far for 2024; 8,423 covid deaths in 2023; 21,288 covid deaths in 2022; 39,867 covid deaths in 2021 and 23,343 covid deaths in 2020.

For the counties around Lake Okeechobee as of March 19:

• Okeechobee County has 6 reported covid deaths for 2024 so far; 17 covid deaths in 2023; 39 covid deaths in 2022; 102 covid deaths in 2021; and, 59 covid deaths in 2020.

• Hendry County has 2 reported covid deaths for 2024 so far; 8 covid deaths in 2023; 31 covid deaths in 2022; 86 covid deaths in 2021; and, 55 covid deaths in 2020.

• Glades County has no reported covid deaths for 2024; 1 covid death in 2023; 3 covid deaths in 2022; 19 covid deaths in 2021; and, 15 covid deaths in 2020.

• Martin County has 33 reported covid deaths for 2024; 110 covid deaths in 2023; 312 covid deaths in 2021 and 211 covid deaths in 2020.

The Department of Health advises Floridians to consult their doctors for advice about vaccinations and boosters.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults 65 and older who did not receive a booster in 2023 to roll up their sleeves this spring for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than half of COVID-19 hospitalizations during October 2023 to December 2023 occurred in this age group, and covid deaths continue to remain highest among older adults.

“An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk,” CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., said in a statement.

CDC researchers who studied a population of about 9,000 adults, found the shots provide protection against JN.1, which is now the dominant variant of the covid virus, causing about 93% of COVID cases in the U.S.

Those over the age of 65 who are unvaccinated continue to be at the highest risk of serious illness or death.