COVID-19 hospitalization rates across Florida rose 39% between June and July amid signs of a late summer wave sweeping the country, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.

Why it matters: Our guard is down. Many of us put COVID in our rearview mirrors, leaving us mentally and practically ill-prepared for another wave.

By the numbers: In percentage change and raw terms, state and nationwide hospitalizations remain far below their pandemic-era peak.

• Florida's rate is down 76% — from an average of 5.7 per 100,000 residents in July compared to 23.8 last year.
• The rate is down 82% nationally year over year, while the CDC reports 10,320 overall hospital admissions in the week between July 30-Aug. 5, compared to more than 150,000 in one week in January 2022.

What they're saying: Jason Salemi, University of South Florida associate professor of epidemiology, told Axios that the spike is likely due to increased travel for summer vacation and conference season, and the heat wave fueling indoor gatherings.

• "It's not like we have to sit in our houses and hunker down and do nothing, but we should take a few extra precautions to protect ourselves and our families," Salemi said.
• Testing is still free in many locations around Tampa Bay and antivirals are recommended for immunocompromised people and adults over 50.

Be smart: Hospitalization rates are now one of the best proxies for estimating broader viral spread.

Yes, but: It's still not a perfect metric.

• Because older people are more vulnerable to severe COVID, for example, hospitalization rates are likely to be higher in states or communities with older populations. (Nursing home cases are also rising.) Vaccination rates can be a factor too.
• Hospitalization rates are also a lagging indicator.

The bottom line: There's no sign we're headed for anything like the waves of the peak pandemic era. But it's still an alarming trend and a reminder that COVID will remain a public health concern for the foreseeable future.

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📅 Upcoming events around the city:

Beginners Real Estate Orientation 2023 - Tampa online tomorrow:

• Welcome to our community! Are you interested in becoming your own boss and taking control of your career? Do you want to create a life where you can work on your own schedule and build a legacy for yourself and your family? If so, our community is here to help you achieve your goals.
• This orientation can provide you with the knowledge, tools, and support you need to succeed in real estate investing. It'll teach you:
• How to leave behind a "fixed and comfortable mindset" and develop a growth mindset
• How to use other people's money and credit to invest in both short-term and long-term real estate deals
• How to create multiple streams of income using different real estate investing strategies, such as wholesaling, fix and flip, buy and hold, tax liens and deeds, seller financing, subject to, and mortgage notes

Tampa Monday Night Business Networking Event at Black Rock Bar & Grill on Aug. 21:

• Come join one of the best networking organizations of highly qualified and motivated professionals in the Tampa Bay area who meet weekly for the sole purpose of helping one another succeed in business. We are looking for business professionals who want to grow their businesses! Meet Monday evenings from 7pm - 9:30pm at Black Rock Bar & Grill (Carrollwood Location).

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Floridians Protecting Freedom says it collected over 600,000 signatures to place a referendum ensuring abortion access on next year's ballot.

Why it matters: Abortion rights supporters need 891,523 signatures by February to get the amendment on the ballot.

• If the effort is successful, it could have massive implications for reproductive health care in the South, where nearby states have bans that have forced abortion clinics to close.

Details: The amendment reads, "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider."

• Fetal viability is generally around 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, according to the National Library of Medicine. The amendment doesn't impact requirements that parents be notified before a minor has an abortion.

The other side: Gov. Ron DeSantis touted the state's commitment to the pro-life movement when he signed a six-week abortion ban in April. "We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida," he said then.

What they're saying: "Our grassroots momentum continues to build — even through the heat of the summer — as evidenced by these latest petition and fundraising totals," Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for Floridians Protecting Freedom, said in a press release Tuesday.

🏝️ Twenty zoos and aquariums across the U.S. are involved with the Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project, studying and caring for coral placed in captivity to prevent damage as the waters surrounding the state get hotter. (Axios)

💰 Tampa Electric filed a proposal that, if approved, could lower the average customer's bill. The company cited lower costs for power-plant fuel for the proposed decline. (News Service of Florida)

🍎 The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association asked to bring the top salary for teachers to as high as $80,000 at a bargaining session this week. The proposal could add $100 million to the school district's budget. (Tampa Bay Times)

Superfans usually want autographs and memorabilia from their favorite artist. Cam Parker is more interested in what he can give to the pop icons he adores.

State of play: The Tampa artist known as Painkiller Cam has given paintings and custom clothing to Janelle Monáe, Lizzo and Diana Ross, and painted a mural for Lady Gaga.

The latest: Parker painted a Beyoncé mural at 1703 N Tampa St. and spent the last week campaigning on social media to make sure she could see it before her Renaissance tour stop on Wednesday.

• His attempts appear to be successful, with images of him and his mural now on beyonce.com.

What he's saying: Parker told Axios he was thrilled knowing Beyoncé likely approved the images, so she could know how much she means to Parker and Tampa Bay.

• "I'm big on showing someone they are appreciated and loved while they are alive," he said. "Whether they get it or not I'm still going to do it."

What's ahead: Keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming mural for Dolly Parton, as well as some works showing love for local artists.