To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.
COVID-19 case numbers and changing rules and regulations related to COVID-19 could greatly impact your future vacations.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign
We’ve already shared a look at what you need to know about COVID-19’s BA.2 Omicron subvariant, a summary of travel restrictions that are in place, and other general information about Omicron. But now the situation with BA.2 is changing a bit in Central Florida. Here’s what we know so far.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, COVID-19 appears to be increasing in Central Florida. Specifically, the Altamonte Springs is seeing a “substantial increase in the amount of COVID in its sewage since the beginning of March,” per statements from Frank Martz, the city manager of Altamonte Springs.
What areas does the Altamonte Springs sewer service cover? Well it actually covers north Orange County and south Seminole County. From March 10th to April 7th, the Altamonte Springs sewer service areas saw a BIG jump in COVID-19 virus concentration. It was actually a 1,661% increase. (Orlando Sentinel)
COVID-19 Signs
According to Click Orlando powered by News 6, city manager Frank Martz said “It’s not anywhere close to where it was during omicron (surge) but each time we see an increase in the concentration levels in the sewage, we see an increase in the number of cases.”
If you’re wondering why the wastewater or sewer information is relevant, it’s because gene copies can be found in the wastewater. Gene copies are actually fragments of the COVID-19 virus which can be found in the stool of someone who is infected or was recently infected. (Orlando Sentinel)
Face mask
A spokesperson for Orange County Utilities said that, as of April 7th, all 3 of Orange County, Florida’s wastewater service areas has seen an increase in COVID-19, even if that increase was only temporary. (Orlando Sentinel)
It appears the BA.2 subvariant is partially to blame. The more infectious BA.2 Omicron subvariant is actually responsible for about 70% of the COVID-19 cases in the wastewater in the Altamonte Springs sewer service area. (Orlando Sentinel)
©Courtesy of Frank Martz, city manager | Obtained via the Orlando Sentinel
Florida as a whole is one of the 26 states in the U.S. that has recently seen an increase in COVID-19 cases. In fact, Florida’s COVID-19 cases have increased by 34% recently. (Orlando Sentinel)
According to information on Google which utilizes data from The New York Times, on April 11th, 2022, Florida’s 7-day average was 1,798. That’s up from the 7-day average of 1,670 reported on April 9th.
©Google | The New York Times
Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to President Biden, told Bloomberg News that the increase isn’t surprising since there’s been a relaxation of mask rules and other safety rules and regulations, coupled with the rise of BA.2 and waning immunity from infections and vaccinations.
Fauci said, “I would not be surprised if we see an uptick in cases. Whether that uptick becomes a surge, whether there are a lot more cases, is difficult to predict.” (Orlando Sentinel) Fauci has said that he hopes hospitalizations will not increase along with the increase in cases.
Dr. Fauci in 2020 ©Good Morning America
The Orlando Sentinel notes that a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did indicate that “vaccine effectiveness against severe outcomes during the omicron wave in January was 88% with two shots and 94% with three.”
At the moment, Orange County, Florida remains in the “low” community level under the CDC’s current guidelines. But an epidemiologist indicated that under the CDC’s old criteria, a number of Florida counties (including Orange County) would be classified as being in the moderate category, which would necessitate certain mask-wearing measures. (Orlando Sentinel) A reminder that Disney World is located partially in Orange County, Florida (and also partially in Osceola County, Florida).
©CDC
Mask rules and other COVID-19 related measures have not changed in Disney World as of this time. Masks continue to be optional for fully vaccinated guests in most indoor locations (and all outdoor locations). Unvaccinated guests are expected to wear their masks in indoor locations, and all guests must wear masks on the monorail and Disney buses.
Mask Sign
We’ll keep an eye out for any updates.
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Well swimming in the sewers is usually a highlight of my trip at Disney, but unfortunately it looks like I’ll have to scale that back this year. Bummer, thanks Disney!😂
So, people who are vaccinated can get covid? Yes? ( In fact I have a vaccinated friend who has had it twice. She is NOT dead. ) We cannot see the virus in order to avoid exposure, nor do we know at any given time who is healthy and who is sick. We do not have people dying in the streets in mass numbers. Meanwhile, shut downs of various sorts have done immense damage to business, the economy, supply chain, schooling for children, and physical harm in the form of increased drug and alcohol overdose, delayed speech in children and damage to their learning levels. We know WHO needs to stay away from crowds and potential covid exposure, and it is basically the super old and those who are health compromised. So, my question is, why are will still talking about this every day? Is it to gin up even more hysteria? The talk changes nothing except to spread more hysteria which then takes the form of ever more government aggression against citizens. Look at the lock down of millions in China, many of whom are starving to death in their own apartments. See the constant arrest of covid positive people in Australia and of church ministers in Canada. Fauci came out recently to say that Covid is endemic and is NOT going to go away. Its time to live with it. If you are afraid, help yourself to wear a mask and avoid crowds. The rest of us should not have our rights suppressed because of the fears of others. In the meanwhile, not everybody is interested in a minute by minute broadcast about this topic. I had covid in 2020 when there was no vaccine. I am “old” ( late 60’s) but healthy and never needed hospitalization. Clearly, I am not dead. People die every day of preventable diseases. Alcoholism and drug addiction, tobacco use come to mind. It would surely be easier to prevent those deaths , yet I see no fist fights or arrests or lock-ups in the streets about it. Stop the coverage. It isnt helpful and in my opinion is making things much worse.
Fb- that comment made me snort. Thanks for the laugh!
Finding bacteria/virus in sewage, I’m shocked!
Thank you DFB for this important update on the
BA-2 sub-variant and reporting it to us. Your updates help me to determine the best time to visit Disney World. They also help me to keep my family safe. Thank you for all you do! You are appreciated!
This is not surprising. 6 out of 10 of my family members got Covid while we were in Disney for the last week of March. All the queues were packed tightly and no one was wearing a mask.
We’ve been to Disney no less than 14 times since 2020 and neither my wife nor me have contracted covid. The only personal habit I’ve changed is how much I wash my hands. I choose to not wear masks if it’s an option and my fingers are always in my mouth and eyes.
And I’m tested weekly.
So…