Manatee County sees its second-largest spike with 44 new coronavirus cases

More than 2,500 new cases of COVID-19 were reported across the state and Manatee County saw its second-largest spike since the outbreak with 44 new cases, according to the Florida Department’s of Health’s Saturday morning update.

Another death was reported in Manatee County, bringing the number of people who have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, up to 115.

Manatee County saw its largest spike on Friday with 56 new cases. As of Saturday morning, the total number of county cases is at 1,353.

However, the percentage of those testing positive compared to the number of residents tested remains stable at 5.2 percent. The total number of residents tested in Manatee County increased from 25,222 to 25,842, with 24,479 residents testing negative.

For the second day in a row, the DOH is reporting no new cases in long-term care facilities in Manatee County. That tally remains at 443 cases.

Florida cases jumped from almost 71,000 on Friday to 73,552 as of Saturday morning with 58 new deaths being reported. The death toll in Florida is steadily approaching 3,000 with 2,925 dead from COVID-19, according to health officials.

The state slowly began to reopen in May. Now in June, most businesses across the state are open at limited capacity with social-distancing regulations in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

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.

And as bars, gyms, vacation rentals and movie theaters reopened at partial capacity last week in all but three South Florida counties, the number and rate of new COVID-19 cases were rising statewide — a troubling indicator that the disease could be spreading more quickly.

Sarasota County reported 17 new cases on Saturday, and two more deaths bringing the death toll to 91.

Manatee County numbers from Friday to Saturday:

• Cases increased from 1,309 to 1,353.
• The death toll increased by one to 115.
• The number of residents tested increased 25,222 to 25,842.
• Hospitalizations since the outbreak increased by one to 236.
• The number of males infected is 610 compared to 731 females.
• Manatee County’s positive percentage of those tested remained stable at 5.2 percent.

Numbers for Sarasota County from Friday to Saturday:

• The number of cases increased from 724 to 741.
• The death toll increased by two to 91.
• The number of hospitalizations since the outbreak remains at 170.
• The number of males infected is 308 compared to 410 females.
• Sarasota’s positive percentage of those tested is 2.8 percent.

Florida numbers from Friday to Saturday:

• Cases increased from 70,971 to 73,552.
• The death toll increased from 2,877 to 2,925.
• Florida’s positive percentage of those tested increased from 5.3 percent to 5.4 percent.

Surrounding counties:

• Pinellas County cases increased from 1,941 to 2,103. The death toll remains at 102.
• Hillsborough County cases increased from 3,295 to 3,504. The death toll remains at 99.
• Polk County cases increased from 1,373 to 1,414. The death toll increased from 74 to 75.
• Hardee County cases increased from 177 to 189. There have been no reported deaths.
• Desoto County cases increased from 329 to 348. The death toll remains at 10.

Miami Herald contributed to this story.

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