Florida registered more than 10,000 cases of coronavirus on Sunday, part of a winter wave that increased infections, deaths and hospitalizations.
The state health department announced 10,603 cases on Sunday, raising the number of infections detected since March from 1,365,436.
The state announced 100 deaths from the virus. As cases and hospitalizations increase, deaths are expected to increase. On Sunday, about 125 deaths were being announced each day, on average the previous week. A total of 22,310 people died.
Just over 96,000 tests were processed on Saturday, with a daily positivity rate of 12.43 percent, according to the state Department of Health.
Vaccinations: As of Sunday, 255,808 people in Florida had been vaccinated against the coronavirus, an increase of 12,701 over the previous day.
In Hillsborough, 14,893 people were vaccinated; in Pinellas, 14,947; in Polk, 4,117; in Manatee, 4,580; in Pasco, 5,219; in Hernando, 1,695; and in Citrus, 1,142.
Miami-Dade and Broward lead the state in vaccinated people, followed by Orange, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Duval.
Hospitalizations: Nearly 7,000 people in Florida are hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of coronavirus, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration. About 1,500 are in the Tampa Bay area. The number of hospitalized people is increasing.
Across the state, about 24% of hospital beds and 21% of ICU beds are available. In Tampa Bay, about 23% of hospital beds and 17% of ICU beds are open.
The largest ICU in the area, Tampa General Hospital, had only a few ICU beds available on Sunday afternoon.
Positivity: Florida’s average weekly positivity rate is about 13%, according to Johns Hopkins University. It is one of 47 states that does not meet the World Health Organization’s recommendation for a rate of 5% or less before loosening restrictions.
When positivity is very high, it may indicate that there are not enough widespread tests to capture mild and asymptomatic cases, allowing them to spread further.
Local numbers: Tampa Bay added 2,129 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths on Sunday.
Fourteen deaths were recorded in Pinellas, nine in Citrus, Hillsborough and Pasco recorded six deaths, Hernando added two and Manatee added one.
Polk leads the area with the highest average weekly positivity rate, around 17 percent. Hillsborough comes next with 16%, Citrus, Hernando and Pasco with 14%, Pinellas with 11% and Manatee with 10%.
Positivity rates increased after the test was stopped at the end of the holiday.
By the last count, Hillsborough has 80,035 cases and 1,097 deaths; Pinellas has 46,860 cases and 1,073 deaths; Polk has 38,843 cases and 796 deaths; The manatee has 22,920 cases and 440 deaths; Pasco has 22,879 cases and 394 deaths; Hernando has 7,677 cases and 283 deaths; and Citrus has 6,903 cases and 285 deaths.
How fast is the number of COVID-19 cases growing in Florida?
Is the coronavirus outbreak in Florida still growing?
Florida coronavirus cases by age group
Doctors say the elderly are at an increased risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, which makes Florida especially vulnerable.
• • •
HOW THE CORONAVIRUS IS SPREADING IN FLORIDA: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.
VACCINES Questions and Answers: Do you have questions about the coronavirus vaccine? We have answers, Florida.
MASKS: Read the latest guidelines, tips for comfort and long-term use
GET DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.
THE CORONAVIRUS SCRAPBOOK: We collect your stories, photos, music, recipes, diaries and more to show what life has been like during the pandemic.
A TRIBUTE TO THE FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police and doctors, imperfect, but deeply loved.
HAVE A TIP ?: Send us confidential news tips
We are working hard to bring you the latest coronavirus news in Florida. This effort requires a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t signed up yet, consider purchasing a print or digital subscription.