Orlando is facing a critical shortage of liquid oxygen, a situation that highlights the broader repercussions of declining vaccination rates against COVID-19. As medical personnel in the area work tirelessly to care for patients, essential supplies like liquid oxygen—vital for both treating COVID-19 patients and treating the city’s water—are running dangerously low.
Mayor’s Urgent Call to Action
Orlando’s Mayor, Alex Martinez, took to social media to call on residents to reduce their water consumption as the hospital system grapples with soaring hospitalization rates. “The national demand for liquid oxygen has surged, prioritizing its use for lifesaving treatments, which limits the supply available to the Orlando Utility Commission (OUC),” Martinez stated. “If we do not quickly lessen our water needs, we could see impacts on water quality.”
Mayor Martinez urged the community to cut back on water usage for non-essential activities, such as lawn watering and car washing, and also encouraged residents to get vaccinated. “This is yet another consequence of the ongoing COVID-19 surge. The unvaccinated are at greater risk of severe illness, which places additional strain on our healthcare system,” he added.
Potential Boil-Water Alert
If water consumption does not decrease, the OUC warns that it may have to issue a boil-water alert—a directive for residents to boil water before using it for drinking or cooking. This alert could be implemented within a week if current trends in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations persist. The OUC estimates that if the community adheres to the water conservation measures, the restrictions may only need to last two to three weeks. Simple actions like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and installing water-saving fixtures can help reduce water use. “It’s a straightforward request,” Martinez noted. “Let’s refrain from watering our lawns for just one week; we may even have some thunderstorms during that time.”
Current Vaccination Rates and COVID-19 Impact
Florida currently has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S., around 51%, and is experiencing one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates. Between August 6 and 20, the state saw an 82% increase in cases, with approximately 17,000 COVID-19 patients occupying 55% of ICU beds statewide.
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Summary
Orlando faces a significant liquid oxygen shortage due to rising COVID-19 cases. Mayor Alex Martinez urges residents to conserve water to mitigate impacts on water quality and calls for vaccinations to reduce hospitalizations. The city may need to issue a boil-water alert if water usage does not decrease.