First Manatee COVID-19 death was patient at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, hospital says
The first person to die after testing positive for COVID-19 in Manatee County was being treated at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center when he died Tuesday.
The case is also the first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, confirmed at that hospital. Hospital spokeswoman Kristina R. Sparacino confirmed the death early Wednesday afternoon.
“As the novel coronavirus takes its toll across the country and around the world, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is saddened to confirm that a patient passed away yesterday, who had tested positive for COVID-19,” said a statement from the hospital released by Sparacino to the Bradenton Herald. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, a 61-year-old Manatee County man is among more than 100 new cases in Florida of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Since Tuesday evening, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Florida jumped from 216 to 328, according to the latest data released by the Florida Department of Health Wednesday evening. Among those cases, there are now 299 Florida residents who have tested positive.
The death toll in Florida increased from seven to eight on Wednesday. The seventh confirmed death occurred at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on Tuesday evening. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the death of a man in his 70s in Clay County on Wednesday afternoon.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 11:24 AM.
