Introduction
The report presents the weekly and cumulative statistics about the COVID-19 pandemic, including the number of cases, vaccination rate, case positivity, and mortality levels. Among the Florida counties, the highest cumulative positivity rate of 46.2% is in Lafayette (‘COVID-19 weekly,’ 2022). At the same time, the overall cumulative positivity rate in Florida accounts for 26.4%, while the new case positivity for the week from May 13 until May 20 was 13.4% (‘COVID-19 weekly,’ 2022). Ultimately, Florida is one of the most affected states by the pandemic, accounting for more than six million cumulative cases.
Morbidity and Mortality
COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, resulting in high levels of morbidity and mortality. In Florida, the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic is 6,058,248 (‘COVID-19 weekly,’ 2022). Excluding the instances of COVID-19 resurgences and the total population of 21,975,117, the approximate morbidity rate is 27.5%. The total number of deaths from the disease in two years is 74,330, resulting in an approximate 0.012% mortality rate. It is a relatively average number among various states in America.
Epidemiologic Study
One of the best methods to investigate the major epidemiological factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic is the case-control observational methodology. It is a method of collecting data by observing affected and non-affected individuals and trying to identify the most significant risk factors and associated conditions with the disease (Munnangi & Boktor, 2022). In other words, case-control studies identify the control group, which is comprised of people without the disease, and analyze their differences from affected patients. At the same time, experts thoroughly examine affected people and investigate the potential risk factors that could lead to the disease (Munnangi & Boktor, 2022). In the case of COVID-19, these factors primarily include recent travels, interaction with other people, and other detection indicators. This research allowed experts to understand the significance of social distancing and isolation as relatively effective countermeasures against COVID-19.
Although case-control studies are effective in identifying the risk factors, experts utilize various observational studies and additional laboratory research to combat COVID-19. Researchers collaborate with governments, institutes, and even ordinary people globally to stop the spread of the disease and implement effective countermeasures. It would have been impossible to drastically reduce the number of cases without the utmost efforts of research laboratories in an attempt to create effective vaccines. Ultimately, while observational studies are practical in investigating epidemiological factors, they should be complemented with other empirical research methods to prevent the spread of the disease.
Methodology Implementation
Consequently, advanced practice nurses can use observational studies in their research to improve health outcomes in the community. While this methodology is generally effective in identifying rare diseases, nurses can use case-control studies to examine the causal relationship between risk factors and illnesses (Munnangi & Boktor, 2022). For instance, the researcher can examine the relationship between harmful lifestyles and emerging diseases by analyzing the control and patient groups. According to Munnangi and Boktor (2022, par. 2), “case-control studies can help identify beneficial or harmful exposures.” If there is a visible trend in the community, the research can use this methodology to separate the control and patient groups, effectively examining the risk factors. Ultimately, the case-control observational approach is one of the essential epidemiology methodologies that can be used at all levels of research to improve health outcomes.
References
COVID-19 weekly situation report: State overview. (2022). Florida Department of Health.
Florida Health.(2022). Florida Department of Health.
Munnangi, S., & Boktor, S. W. (2022). Epidemiology of study design. National Library of Medicine.