Record COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reported At Sarasota Memorial

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — As of Monday, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is caring for 230 COVID-19 patients, the highest number hospitalized there since the start of the pandemic.

“That’s 100 more people than our record in 2020,” the hospital system shared to its Facebook page.

Of those hospitalized, 205 people or 89 percent of all coronavirus patients weren’t vaccinated, Sarasota Memorial said. Twenty-five of these hospitalized patients had been vaccinated against the virus.

Currently, there are 51 COVID-19 patients in ICU. Of these ICU patients, three were vaccinated and 48 unvaccinated.

There are also 34 coronavirus patients on ventilators – one vaccinated and 33 unvaccinated.

This data shows “the difference COVID-19 vaccines are making,” Sarasota Memorial wrote on Facebook. “As our hospital (and) our community continue to battle this unprecedented COVID-19 surge, we encourage you to help protect the health of your loved ones (and) neighbors.”

The hospital system encourages vaccinations, wearing masks in public and staying home when sick.

The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are available at the Department of Health in Sarasota County’s offices in North Port (6950 Outreach Way) and Sarasota (2200 Ringling Blvd.) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Select pharmacies and other health care facilities in Sarasota County also offer the vaccine, including:

• CVS
• Publix
• Sam's Club
• Walgreens
• Walmart
• Winn-Dixie

The vaccine is also available through some private physician's practices.

Sarasota Memorial has closed its vaccination clinics. The hospital no longer receives doses from the state.