Orange County officials suspend all youth sports as COVID-19 cases surge

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, Orange County officials announced Thursday that they would be suspending all county-run youth sports programs until further notice.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the decision was made because children under the ages of 11 are not eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The county estimates that nearly 1,100 children will be affected.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino said at Thursday’s briefing that the county has recorded 17 new COVID deaths since Monday.

Pino said that of those deaths, seven were people who had been fully vaccinated.

READ: Pediatricians children are being impacted the most by COVID-19

Mayor Demings also announced the deaths of two Orange County Corrections officers from COVID-19 this month, and that another 36 jail staff had tested positive for the virus.

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Earlier this week, the county said that it would expand testing sites as well as establish a vaccine site at Camping World Stadium.

The county has administered 310 vaccines since Tuesday.

READ: Central Florida hospitals pushed to the brink as COVID-19 cases continue to surge

Vaccines will be available to people 12 and older seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information on the Orange County COVID-19 response can be found here.

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