COVID-19 blamed for 5 more deaths in Manatee County as the statewide toll rises by 53
Five more people have died in Manatee County from COVID-19, according to data released by the Florida Department of Health on Friday.
A total of 105 people have died locally from the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Across the state, the death toll increased by 53 to hit 2,660.
The other deaths were reported in Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Miami- Dade, Duval, Escambia, Gadsden, Hillsborough, Indian River, Marion, Martin, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota, Volusia and Washington counties.
There were also 28 new cases reported in Manatee County, and 1,162 people have tested positive since the county’s first case was reported on March 1.
A total of 1,305 new cases of people testing positive across the state was also reported on Friday. Statewide, 61,488 people have tested positive since the onset of the pandemic.
While Florida has seen its biggest daily gain in six weeks the past few days, the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests out of those reported in a single day has declined over the same time period, as the state provides testing to more people.
Meanwhile, the state moved into the second phase of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ three step plan to reopen the state.
The latest new cases in Manatee County are among 412 tests results released on Friday. A total of 21,320 people have been tested, with a 5.5% positive rate. That is just slightly higher than the state’s current positive rate of 5.4%.
The fatality rate of confirmed cases in Manatee County, however, remains more than twice that of the state. Two-thirds of the county’s deaths are also still residents or staff who worked at a skilled nursing home or assisted living facility.
In Sarasota County, there were six new cases reported, for a total of 658 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus. With three new deaths reported, the death toll in Sarasota stands at 85.
Hillsborough County had 75 new cases reported on Friday, for a total of 2,554 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Three more people have died from COVID-19 in Hillsborough, taking the death toll to 88.
In Pinellas County, there were 91 new cases reporting, making 1,478 total cases. Four more COVID-19 deaths in Pinellas adds up to 95 people who have died from the disease.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 11:16 AM.
