Florida coronavirus cases top 38,000 in Wednesday update; 68 new deaths reported
Infection rates could increase after reopening
As Florida starts taking steps to ease restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts say new cases and more deaths are expected. However, as long as local hospitals can handle the patients, the state says it is still in.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 563 since yesterday morning as the virus spreads and as more people are tested across the state. The total number of cases in Florida is now 38,002.
The number of deaths has reached 1,539, an increase of 68 since Tuesday's update. Locally, Pinellas County reported six new deaths, Polk noted two, while Hillsborough and Sarasota each reported one.
Of the 38,002 cases, 37,020 are Florida residents while 982 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.
Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:
Hillsborough: 1,331
Pinellas: 801
Sarasota: 405
Manatee: 722
Sumter: 234
Polk: 564
Citrus: 101
Hernando: 97
Pasco: 285
Highlands: 87
DeSoto: 42
Hardee: 34
The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered' coronavirus patients or those currently hospitalized. As of Wednesday, 6,557 people had been hospitalized for treatment at some point.
A total of 482,005 people have been tested in the state as of Tuesday -- about 2.1% of the state's population -- according to the Florida Department of Health.
LINK: County-by-county Florida coronavirus cases and ZIP code map
After two peaks in early and mid-April, the state’s curve has generally flattened over the last two weeks. Since April 18, the state has averaged just over 600 new cases per day. That’s down to a level that the health care system can handle, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
As Florida starts taking steps to ease restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts say new cases and more deaths are expected.
Source: Fla. DOH
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
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Map of known COVID-19 cases:
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