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Doctors warn about possible second wave of COVID-19
More than 45,000 people in the United States have died after contracting the coronavirus. Now, CDC officials are saying a second wave of illnesses will be far more dire because they're expecting it during flu season.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 707 since Tuesday's evening update as the virus spreads and as more people are tested across the state. The total number of cases in Florida is now 28,576.
The number of deaths has reached 927, an increase of 60 in the last 24 hours. Locally, five counties reported a total of 10 deaths in the last 24 hours; one in Hillsborough, three in Pinellas, two in Polk, three in Sarasota, and one in Sumter.
Of the 28,576 cases, 27,791 are Florida residents while 766 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.
Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:
Hillsborough: 986
Pinellas: 641
Sarasota: 302
Manatee: 448
Sumter: 164
Polk: 364
Citrus: 92
Hernando: 83
Pasco: 220
Highlands: 71
DeSoto: 24
Hardee: 4
The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered' coronavirus patients or those currently hospitalized. As of Wednesday, 4,455 had been hospitalized for treatment at some point.
A total of 292,636 people have been tested in the state as of Wednesday -- about 1.4% of the population -- according to the Florida Department of Health.
LINK: County-by-county Florida coronavirus cases and ZIP code map
After a higher-than-average number of new cases late last week, Florida's curve again seems to be flattening. The number of new cases reported over the last four days has averaged around 800 per day, slightly less than the previous two weeks' average.
Sarasota County voted Wednesday morning to reopen their beaches, the first in the Bay Area to make that decision. The beaches will be open for exercise only, starting Monday, and parking lots will not initially be available.
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. The state's number of deaths represents permanent Florida residents who have died from COVID-19. The number of non-Florida residents who have died from the coronavirus while in the state is not reported.
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
CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know
AROUND THE WORLD: CoronavirusNOW.com
Map of known COVID-19 cases:
MOBILE APP USERS: Click here for map