Florida added 19,530 cases of coronavirus and 194 deaths on Friday, bringing the total deaths to 23,011. More than 1.4 million people have been infected across the state since March.
The state processed 148,494 test results Thursday, with a daily positivity rate of 11.46 percent, according to the Florida Department of Health. It may take up to two weeks for authorities to confirm and report a coronavirus-related death, which means that the number of deaths added does not necessarily reflect the number of people who died the day before.
The United States broke mortality records on Thursday, reporting an estimated 4,000 deaths as state and local governments rush to vaccinate their populations. With more than 19,000 new infections, Florida saw a record number of cases on Thursday, the second consecutive day and the third time a week, exceeding previous daily records.
Vaccinations: Florida vaccinated 443,616 people, including 36,984 in the past 24 hours.
In Hillsborough County, 22,828 people were vaccinated; in Pinellas, 22,777; in Pasco, 9,352; in Manatee, 9,304; in Polk, 7,180; in Hernando, 3,180; and in Citrus, 2,555.
As Tampa Bay counties launched vaccines for the elderly this week, many faced obstacles due to website failures and overwhelming demand. Hillsborough, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties stopped accepting reservations on Tuesday, having filled all available slots. Hillsborough hopes to have more vaccines available next week, while Pinellas said he will offer more consultations as new doses become available. Information on vaccines in Hernando County can be found on its website or by calling 352-540-6800.
Hospitalizations: Florida hospitals are currently treating 7,346 people with COVID-19, including 1,547 in Tampa Bay, according to the Agency for Healthcare Administration.
The state registered 364 new admissions on Friday, with 65 in Tampa Bay.
About 19% of hospital beds and 16% of beds in adult intensive care units were available throughout the state. In Tampa Bay, about 18% of hospital beds and 13% of adult ICU beds were open. In Tampa, the 107 regular beds at Memorial Hospital and its 11 adult ICU beds were full on Friday morning. Four of the Tampa General’s 93 adult ICU beds were open.
Positivity: Florida’s average weekly positivity rate was 13.89% on Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
States and regions must maintain a positivity rate of five percent or less for at least two weeks before loosening social distance guidelines, according to the World Health Organization. Three states and the District of Columbia currently have a rate positivity below 5%.
Local numbers: Tampa Bay added 3,487 cases and 24 deaths on Friday.
Hillsborough County added eight deaths, while Polk added seven. Pinellas and Manatee counties added three deaths each and Pasco reported two. There was a new death in Citrus County. No new deaths have been reported in Hernando County.
Polk County’s average weekly positivity rate was 15%; Hillsborough’s positivity rate was 14%; Pasco’s was 13%; Citrus County was also 13 percent; Hernando’s positivity rate was 12%; Pinellas County’s was 11% and Manatee’s was 10%.
By the last count, Hillsborough has 84,714 cases and 1,125 deaths; Pinellas has 49,771 cases and 1,125 deaths; Polk has 41,620 cases and 833 deaths; The manatee has 24,278 cases and 446 deaths; Pasco has 24,363 cases and 408 deaths; Hernando has 8,171 cases and 290 deaths; and Citrus has 7,340 cases and 285 deaths.
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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.
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