In Florida’s latest report, 22.75% of people tested were positive for COVID

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Florida grew by more than 12,000 cases on Tuesday amid positive rates not seen since July – the peak of Florida’s pandemic. The positivity rate of 22.75% across the state – almost double that of some counties – was driven by a small number of people tested due to the closing and / or limited hours of test locations over Christmas and the weekend. holiday.

Although the 12,075 cases reported by the Florida Department of Health were not a one-day record increase in Florida, there were 1,024 new cases in Duval County reported on Tuesday – by far the highest number in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic.

Since March 1, 1,292,252 residents and visitors from the state diagnosed with COVID-19. There have been 59,515 positive tests in Jacksonville in the past 10 months.

There were 105 additional deaths in Florida, reported on Tuesday, bringing the state total to 21,718. Two of them were residents of Jacksonville and one was in Clay County.

There were 6,280 people hospitalized in the state this Tuesday afternoon with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 – 479 more admissions for COVID-19 than the previous day.

Only 40,372 test results arrived on Monday, compared to an average of well over 100,000 a day last week, prompting DOH to add this disclaimer on Tuesday: “As we continue to have office closings and holidays until January 4, 2021, it is possible that the data may continue to be impacted in the coming days. “

According to the state’s vaccination panel: 17,117 first doses were administered on Tuesday, bringing the total in the state to 146,160. The vaccines were given on Tuesday to the first elderly people who were not in long-term care facilities.

Registration for those over 65 opened in Clay County on Tuesday and will open at 8:00 am on Wednesday in Duval County. St. Johns County said its community vaccination plan would be announced soon. The first vaccines in Northeast Florida will be administered on Monday.