Over 1,200 new Florida coronavirus cases reported in Thursday update; 48 new deaths
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 1,204 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 48,675.
The number of deaths has reached 2,144, an increase of 48 since Wednesday's update. Locally, Manatee County reported four new deaths, Sarasota noted two, while Pinellas and Polk each reported one more.
Of the 48,675 cases, 47,381 are Florida residents while 1,294 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.
Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:
Hillsborough: 1,767
Pinellas: 1,109
Sarasota: 550
Manatee: 933
Sumter: 254
Polk: 822
Citrus: 115
Hernando: 108
Pasco: 335
Highlands: 110
DeSoto: 94
Hardee: 54
The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered" coronavirus patients or those currently hospitalized. As of Thursday, 8,946 people had been hospitalized for treatment at some point.
A total of 815,584 people have been tested in the state as of Thursday -- about 3.5% 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 few weeks. In the last 30 days, the state has averaged just under 700 new cases per day. That’s down to a level that the health care system can handle, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
As Florida continues taking steps to ease restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts say new cases and more deaths are expected.
New cases are in orange; new deaths are in gray. Source: Fla. DOH
Thursday's total number of new cases was the highest number reported by the state in nearly a month. The governor said Wednesday that a larger-than-average batch of test results was being sent to the state from private labs.
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. 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: