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SARASOTA – As COVID-19 cases surge across the state of Florida, health officials urge those unvaccinated to do their part. 

Data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human services shows there are more than 10,0000 people in Florida hospitals battling COVID-19 Monday morning. 

Because of this surge, Suncoast officials recommend the use of a mask if you are in a group setting in order to protect yourself, and others. 

“Right now the majority of people in our community that are being infected and subsequently hospitalized are the unvaccinated, and folks need to understand its younger age groups, not seniors at this point, were seeing people of younger ages being hospitalized,” said Sarasota County Dept Of Health PIO, Steve Huard. 

For more information on where to get your COVID-19 vaccine or where to get tested, you can visit the Sarasota County Department of Health’s website here.