MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - New coronavirus infections are trending downward across South Florida, but as the vaccine rollout ramps up, supply is still an issue.
“I think it’s a social faux pas if someone doesn’t have one on,” said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez about mask-wearing.
Suarez believes South Florida is serious when it comes to combating COVID-19.
He credits those who live in Miami and the tri-county area for the drop in COVID cases by wearing masks and other measures like social distancing.
“We’re seeing all of the major metrics go down. Hospitalizations hopefully in the next few days will go below 800. At their worst moment they were at 2,300,” Suarez said.
On Tuesday, the state reported 6,297 new cases of the virus and a positivity rate of 6.6%.
The state also reported that 29,000 people have been killed by the virus to date.
Miami’s mobile vaccine unit continues to make its way across the city. It recently stopped by the Jose Marti Plaza Residences in Little Havana.
“I think being my age and everything else I understood that everybody at this age is doing it and that’s why I wanted to do it, just in case,” said vaccine recipient Odenia Beasley.
In Fort Lauderdale, a vaccination site at Snyder Park came to a pause due to thunderstorms in the area.
The city said the site will stay open late to accommodate as many people as possible.
“It is our duty. It is our duty to help those in need,” said Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes.
At Miami City Hall Tuesday, several commissioners announced a $14 million housing relief effort.
“We as a city have been very efficient in taking the money we’ve been given, whether if it’s from the state, federal government or from wherever, and putting it to work immediately,” said Suarez.
The goal is to keep families in their homes who have faced financial struggles directly related to COVID-19.
In the meantime, Suarez said the city is talking about creating new vaccination sites. That way they can hit the ground running when supplies increase.
“Those are all discussions that we’ve had, but there’s nothing that’s concretized that I can tell you that we’re ready to announce,” Suarez said.
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