Orange County health official says everyone must get COVID-19 vaccine before virus mutates further – WFTV

ORANGE COUNTY, Florida – The Orange County health official said he ran out of tools in his toolbox to convince people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr Raul Pino said it made him very worried about where this would leave the community as a whole.

READ: Orange County COVID-19 positivity rate on the rise, mayor recommends masks in crowded places

“I don’t know what else to do,” Pino said.

He fears that this virus may mutate enough that the vaccines no longer protect us.

Pino said it could happen much sooner than people realize, which could send everyone, vaccinated or not, to square one.

READ: Orange County officials worried about recent spike in COVID-19 cases

Pino said it was a critical time to take a step or lose many more lives.

About 60% of the eligible population of Orange County is vaccinated and protected against COVID-19. Pino said it was a majority, but still not enough to protect the herd and end the pandemic.

He said each new infection gives the virus another opportunity to mutate and become more aggressive.

READ: Concerns grow over coronavirus cases in Orange County as the new school year looms

“The worst-case fear scenario is that it could become so effective at some point that the vaccines won’t protect us,” Pino said.

Channel 9 asked Pino when this could happen.

“I’m afraid we are getting close to the point,” he said.

READ: City of Orlando to offer COVID-19 vaccines at multiple mobile sites this week

The number of cases and the positivity rate doubled in Orange County from last week to this week, and Pino is confident it can double again.

“How can you explain to people what would happen if we got to this point?” If all these people, nearly 60% who have done so much to get vaccinated, are no longer protected? Channel 9 reporter Lauren Seabrook asked Pino.

“I think we have memories of what can happen,” Pino said.

READ: 16 Orlando 911 call center workers tested positive for COVID-19

It’s a memory of what our world was like just six months ago before the vaccine was available.

“For our community, this is a serious moment,” said Pino. “If we don’t do what we need to do, it’s going to take off from here. “

VIDEO: “Basically, back to square one”: cases increase, vaccinations decrease in Orange County

Orange County has seen 519 groundbreaking cases of COVID-19 where those vaccinated still contract the virus, but local hospitals have said the only hospital patients are usually immunocompromised or have serious health problems.