COVID-19 spikes are on the rise again and as the disease continues spreading across the state of Florida, Orange County Chief Executive Officer Jerry L. Demings, who is referred to as the mayor of the county, referred to the Central Florida theme park areas (including Walt Disney World) to be in a “crisis mode.”
Demings recently spoke to the public on Monday to discuss the sudden increase of COVID-19 cases in the Central Florida area, saying:
“These numbers are extraordinary. We are seeing nearly 1,000 new cases in Orange County daily. Those are the numbers we saw at the highest peak last year,” Demings said during a press conference. “So a thousand a day is extraordinary. We are now in crisis mode.”
This address comes after it was found that in the last 14 days Orange County saw 3,893 new cases of the virus, according to new data from the OC Health Care Agency. For those not familiar, Orange County is the home of Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios Orlando Resort.
“Many of you cannot afford to get sick,” Demings continued. During his address to the public, Demings noted the Delta variant of the virus is now the most common form of the COVID-19 virus circulating not only in Florida but also the U.S.
Demings was also sure to urge residents to get vaccinated in preparation of any summer travel plans. Additionally, he insisted that those who travel should get tested and allow time for isolation.
As we’ve shared in the past, most Central Florida theme parks have dramatically reduced or completely eliminated all of their COVID-19 restrictions. Universal Orlando no longer requires guests to wear face masks anywhere on property. Similarly, Walt Disney World has also dramatically reduced their COVID-19 restrictions. However, some still exist at both theme park resorts–whether or not either vacation destinations will see the reinstatement of these restrictions is not known.
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