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Positivity rates again on the rise in Florida
The daily number of positive COVID-19 cases reported by the state of Florida jumped Thursday as new data shows the state has moved past New Jersey to have the fourth-highest number virus-related deaths in the country.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 2,385 Sunday. According to the state's daily update, the total number of cases in Florida is now 778,636.
The number of Florida resident deaths has reached 16,429, an increase of 12 since Saturday's update. In addition, a total of 203 non-Floridians have died in the state. Locally, no additional deaths were reported.
Of the 778,636 cases, 768,653 are Florida residents while 9,983 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.
Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:
Hillsborough: 46,907
Pinellas: 25,130
Sarasota: 9,392
Manatee: 12,971
Sumter: 2,849
Polk: 22,541
Citrus: 3,162
Hernando: 3,609
Pasco: 10,600
Highlands: 2,545
DeSoto: 1,652
Hardee: 1,578
Source: Florida Department of Health
The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered" coronavirus patients. As of Sunday, 2,219 Floridians were currently hospitalized for a primary diagnosis of COVID-19; in total, 48,207 have been hospitalized for treatment at some point.
A total of 5,960,050 residents have been tested in the state as of Sunday -- about 27.7% of the state's population -- according to the Florida Department of Health.
Source: Florida Department of Health
The number of new cases had generally been trending down in September, mirroring the number of tests being given. But it has begun to increase again. The 5,557 new cases reported Thursday was the highest since August 15.
The rate of positive new tests has declined from its summertime peak, remaining below 10% for two months. It was at 4.71% on Saturday, the most recent date available.
After peaking in July, the number of deaths also began a downward trend in August that continued through September -- though "significant delays" in data reporting, as the state says, make interpreting short-term trends from that statistic less reliable.
The state announced this week that it was taking a closer look at those delays and how deaths are tallied, even as Florida moved past New Jersey with the fourth-highest number of deaths in the country.
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Source: Florida Department of Health
PDF: DOH's full county-by-county COVID-19 case report
Editor's note: The number of new cases and deaths reported each day does not necessarily reflect the day that the case was confirmed. The state says some private testing labs dump large batches of test results which include cases from previous days. Stats for today and previous days will likely change in the future as the state reviews more cases and updates retroactive data.
The state's number of deaths represents permanent Florida residents who have died from COVID-19.
MAP: Florida coronavirus cases by county
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If you feel sick:
The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.
LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website
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