More than 17,000 cases of coronavirus were reported in Florida on Thursday, bringing more than a million cases of the virus to Florida and killing hundreds of thousands nationwide. It is the single largest increase in COVID-19 cases in Florida.
The Florida Department of Health announced 17,192 cases Thursday, bringing the total to 1,323,315 since the infection was made public in March. The average of the weekly cases published every week has increased to about 12,702 cases.
During the summer, Florida broke national records when more than 15,000 cases were reported in a single day. Since then, only California and Texas have seen further increases in single-day.
About 166,000 tests were processed on Wednesday, resulting in a daily positive rate of 11.57 percent, according to state data, which is updated and reported every 24 hours.
Dr. Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine at the University of South Florida. “The number we’re getting now is a low number of diseases,” said Marissa Levine.
Levin said some cases can never be counted by state officials because the testing just isn’t so comprehensive. He said he expects an increase in coronavirus-related hospital admissions and mortality the next day. With Florida’s weak sanctions, Levine said “it’s a matter of time” until the strain of the different types of Caronavirus is known here, as it was in California and Colorado earlier this week.
Health officials also recorded 133 deaths from the virus on Thursday. Statewide, 21,990 people have died. The weekly death toll averaged about 117 people each week.
The country also recorded record-breaking deaths this week. The United States tracked the record high daily COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, reaching a peak just a day earlier. 7,2525 on Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University Trekker. More than 7,740 people have died from the coronavirus since.
Vaccination: As of Thursday, 211,165 people in Florida have been vaccinated against coronavirus. That’s an increase of 35,700 people since Wednesday.
In Hillsborough County, 13,562 people have been vaccinated; In Pinelas, 13,559; In Poke, 3,248; In Manati, 3,298; In Pascoe, 4,259; In Hernando, 1,462; And in citrus, 905.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties have the most people vaccinated so far, followed by Orange, Hillsboro and Pinelas counties.
For many people in Florida this vaccine rollout has been a slow and confusing process. Governor Ron Desantis said last week that residents aged 65 or older can get the vaccine, but many have struggled to get information on when and where they can sign up.
If more people are hospitalized because of Covid-19, Levine said stress on the hospital system could affect the rollout of vaccines.
“If the health care system is overwhelmed, it affects the adequacy and effectiveness of vaccination.”
Hospitalization: About 6,320 people are hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of coronavirus statewide, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration. There are about 1,300 Tampa Bay areas.
The number of hospital admissions increased to 666 admissions.
Statewide, about 22 percent of hospital beds and 18 percent of intensive care unit beds were available. In Tampa Bay, about 20 percent of hospital beds and 16 percent of ICU beds were available. As of Thursday morning, only a handful of ICU beds were available at Tampa General Hospital and Bayonet Point, the regional medical center in Pascoe County.
Positivity: Florida has an average weekly positivity rate of 11 percent, according to Johns Hopkins University. It grew after the end of the Christmas holiday, which led to a drop in testing.
When the positivity is too high, it indicates that the test is not comprehensive enough to spread and prevent a mild and asymptomatic case. The World Health Organization sets a recommendation for a positive rate of 5 percent or below before loosening movement restrictions. Only five states and the District of Columbia meet that recommendation, according to the university.
Local numbers: There were 3,150 coronavirus cases and 34 deaths in Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Eleven deaths were reported in Manati County, seven in Poke, five in Citrus, four in Pinelas, three each in Hillsboro and Hernando County and one in Pascoe.
Polk County leads the field with an average weekly positivity rate of 16 percent, followed by Hillsboro at 14 percent, Citrus, Hernando and Pasco at 13 percent and Manati and Pinelas at 10 percent. The positivity rate increased as the test came down due to the Christmas closing.
Levin urged people to behave responsibly, especially on New Year’s holidays. He said Florida is likely to see consistently high rates of disease in the coming weeks due to the holiday season.
“This is not the time to assume we can just leave our guard,” Levine said. “We need to have a guard and more than ever before.”
According to the latest count, Hillsborough has 77,118 cases and 1,078 deaths; Pinelas has 44,975 cases and 1,056 deaths; Poke has 37,403 cases and 795 deaths; There are 22,332 cases and 438 deaths in Manati; Pascoe has 21,932 cases and 379 people have died; Hernando has 7,336 cases and 280 deaths; And citrus has 6,663 cases and 268 deaths.
How fast is the number of Florida COVID-19 cases increasing?
Is there a coronavirus outbreak in Florida?
Florida coronavirus case by age group
Doctors say older people are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms from COVID-19, which makes Florida particularly vulnerable.
•
How coronavirus is spreading in Florida: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.
Vaccines Q&A: Questions for a coronavirus vaccine? We have the answers, Florida.
Facial mask: Read the latest things for guidance, comfort and long-term wear
Get Daily Morning Update: Sign up to get the most up-to-date information.
Coronavirus Scr AP Pubbook: We’ve collected your stories, pictures, songs, recipes, journals and more to show what life has been like during the epidemic.
Tribute to Floridians taken by coronavirus: They were parents and retirees, police officers and doctors, imperfect but deeply in love.
Have a tip ?: Send us secret news tips
We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to collect and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, Please consider purchasing a print or digital subscription.
