TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The COVID-19 pandemic brought change with it, economically, politically, and at times divisively. Some parts of the United States still have varying levels of restrictions for COVID mitigation.
Florida formally lifted its COVID-19 restrictions in July 2021, when a law took effect to codify an order ending the mitigation efforts.
New research data shows that seniors who survived COVID-19 infections could have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, sometimes as much as an 80% higher risk, when compared to risk before a COVID infection.
Even at the low end, there’s a 50% higher risk an older resident will develop Alzheimer’s if they had COVID-19, according to a new study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Florida has more than 22 million residents, and roughly 1 in 5 are seniors, or the age of 65 and older, according to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
“SARS-CoV2 has been associated with central nervous system abnormalities including inflammation … “
The state saw massive levels of migration during the pandemic as residents flocked to the state seeking new opportunities, different rules for COVID-19, and a place to reestablish themselves.
At one point, migration to Florida reached 850 people per day, according to the legislature. During the COVID-19 pandemic increased population across multiple demographic ages, slightly diluting the proportion of elderly residents. The daily migration has shrunk to 808, according to the state.
In 2020, data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed 21.3% of the residents in Florida were over the age of 65.
The total number of deaths to COVID-19 in Florida reached 80,386 as of Sept. 8. More than 61,000 of those deaths were among patients aged 65 or older, according to the Florida Department of Health.
More than one million cases of COVID-19 in the state of Florida have been among seniors, those 65 or older, since March 1, 2020, according to FDOH.
Florida’s seniors have had a 24.1% case positivity rate since the start of the pandemic … READ MORE.