NEWS

The Florida Department of Health reports that Indian River County has now confirmed 772 positive virus infections; however the Florida Community Coronavirus Dashboard reports 814 cases. The difference is because the FDOH does not include those who have received positive infection results from antibody tests, whereas the FCCD does report them. Antibody tests can reveal the presence of COVID-19 even if the person tested is asymptomatic.

The Florida Community Coronavirus Dashboard was started by Rebekah Jones, a former Department of Health employee who maintained the state’s COVID-19 dashboard until she was fired, she says, for refusing to manipulate COVID-19 statistics. Governor DeSantis and FDOH officials say she was fired for insubordination, which could mean the same thing. She started her own dashboard, strikingly similar to the state’s, but computes how she thinks statistics should be reported to the public. The FDOH says antibody tests can be at times inaccurate, so they do not include them.

Either way, Indian River County cases are rising rapidly. Two weeks ago, according to the FDOH, there were 174 cases in this county. The only Treasure Coast beaches open this weekend are in IRC, although they are restricted to IRC residents only.

To reach the FCCD, click here.