Surge in new COVID-19 cases continues in state. Manatee County’s count surpasses 1,300

Manatee County experienced one of the largest daily surges in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with 56 new cases reported, the Florida Department of Health said Friday.

As of Friday, a total of 1,309 people in Manatee have tested positive. Despite the surge in cases, the percentage of people testing positive increased only from from 5.1 percent on Thursday to 5.2 percent on Friday.

There were no new deaths reported, leaving the death toll in Manatee County at 114. Statewide, 29 more people have died, bringing the statewide death toll to 2,877.

Statewide, there were 1,902 cases of COVID-19, a daily record high. It brought the total to 70,971.

A Miami Herald analysis of public and non-public COVID-19 data found that as of June 3, new cases in the state had consistently been trending up since mid-May and the trends could not be attributed solely to increases in testing, which had been inconsistent and sometimes declining during that period.

There have now been 25,222 tests administered in Manatee County, with 23,903 testing negative.

There were no new cases reported in long-term care facilities in Manatee County, with the total number of cases remaining at 443. The percentage of cases in Manatee County in long-term care facilities dropped Friday to 34 percent, from 36 percent.

That is still more than twice the statewide average, 16 percent.

Manatee County’s total mortality rate also remains more than twice the state average. Local 9 percent of the people who have tested positive for the coronavirus have died, compared 4 percent in all of Florida.

Manatee County numbers from Thursday to Friday:

• Cases increased from 1,253 to 1,309.
• The death toll remains at 114.
• The number of residents tested increased from 24,495 to 25,222.
• Hospitalizations since the outbreak increased from 231 to 235.
• The number of males infected is 591 compared to 706 females.
• Manatee County’s positive percentage of those tested increased from 5.1 percent to 5.2 percent.

Numbers for Sarasota County from Wednesday to Thursday:

• The number of cases increased from 716 to 724.
• The death toll remains at 89.
• The number of hospitalizations since the outbreak increased by one to 170.
• The number of males infected is 299 compared to 402 females.
• Sarasota’s positive percentage of those tested is 2.8 percent.

Florida numbers from Wednesday to Thursday:

• Cases increased from 69,069 to 70,971.
• The death toll increased from 2,848 to 2,877
• Florida’s positive percentage of those tested remained stable at 5.3 percent.

Surrounding counties:

• Pinellas County cases increased from 1,862 to 1,941. The death toll increased 101 to 102.
• Hillsborough County cases increased from 3,174 to 3,295. The death toll increased from 96 to 99.
• Polk County cases increased from 1,325 to 1,373. The death toll increased from 73 to 74.
• Hardee County cases increased from 164 to 177. There have been no reported deaths.
• Desoto County cases increased from 304 to 329. The death toll remains at 10.

The Miami Herald contributed to this story.

This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 11:13 AM.