Two more die as Manatee County COVID-19 cases pass the 600 mark

Manatee County lost two more residents to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Florida health officials reported Saturday.

The death toll in Manatee County is now 59.

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis said on Friday that it’s important to look at the positivity rate in the testing data. And while Florida’s percentage of positive tests are at 8.5 percent, Manatee County’s percentage of positive testing is 14.9 percent, well above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s target range.

The total number of positive COVID-19 cases took another upward swing in Manatee County, with 16 new cases bringing the total to 607 cases. The Florida Department of Health also is reporting six new hospitalizations since Friday afternoon’s update, bringing the total number of residents hospitalized to 162.

Sarasota’s percentage of positive tests are below the state average at 7.5 percent. However, Sarasota recorded seven new cases in Saturday’s update compared to Friday, and three new deaths, bringing the total to 47.

Florida’s numbers increased from 34,728 to 35,463 and the state death toll climbed by 50 from 1,314 to 1,364.

Manatee County numbers from Friday to Saturday:

• Positive cases increased from 591 to 607.
• The death toll increased from 57 to 59.
• Hospitalizations increased from 156 to 162.
• Age range: 1-101
• Males infected are 248 compared to 355 females.
• Total number of tests increased from 3,926 to 4,066.
• Manatee County’s testing percentage rating for positive cases is 14.9 percent, a slight drop from Friday’s 15.1 percent, but still about double the state average.

Sarasota numbers from Friday to Saturday:

• Positive cases increased from 365 to 372.
• The death toll increased from 44 to 47.
• Hospitalizations increased from 121 to 123.
• Age range: infancy to 102
• Males infected are 1452compared to 203 females.
• Sarasota County testing percentage rating for positive cases is 7.5 percent.

Florida numbers from Friday to Saturday:

• Positive cases increased from 34,728 to 35,463
• Death toll increased from 1,314 to 1,364.
• Florida’s testing percentage rating for positive cases is 8.5 percent.

Surrounding counties:

• Pinellas County positive cases increased from 748 to 757. The death toll increased from 38 to 42.
• Hillsborough County positive cases increased from 1,163 to 1,240. The death toll remains at 24.
• Polk County positive cases increased from 500 to 514. The death toll increased from 24 to 26.
• Hardee County positive cases increased from 22 to 29. No deaths have been reported.
• Desoto County positive cases increased from 30 to 31. The death toll remains at four.

This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 11:48 AM.