Florida reports a record 173 new COVID-19 deaths. Three of them were Manatee residents
Three Manatee County residents were among the 173 COVID-19 deaths reported by the Florida Department of Health on Thursday. The statewide number was the highest number of deaths reported in one day since the start of the pandemic.
The local official death toll now stands at 152. One of the three deaths reported in Manatee County was a resident or staffer at a long-term care facility.
Statewide, the official death is now 5,518. The remaining new deaths were reported in Alachua, Bay, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Columbia, Miami-Dade, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Madison, Marion, Martin, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Suwannee and Volusia counties.
Meanwhile another 10,249 people in the state have tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
In Manatee County, there were 174 new cases of people testing positive, bringing the total of local cases to 7,252. Statewide, there have been a total of 389,868 positive cases.
Current hospitalizations for COVID-19 patients at Manatee County’s three general hospitals ticked upward again on Thursday with 155 patients who are positive. Of those, there are now 32 patients in ICU, according to data the hospitals provide county officials daily.
Patients who are positive for the coronavirus now make up almost one quarter of all patients at Manatee Memorial Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Blake Medical Center.
According to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, 135 patients are hospitalized in the county with COVID-19 being the primary reason.
The breakdown among hospitals of COVID-19 cases and available beds was:
- Manatee Memorial Hospital: 71 COVID-19 positive patients, 13 of whom are in ICU, two available non-ICU beds and two available ICU beds.
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center: 27 COVID-19 positive patients, four of whom are in ICU, two available non-ICU beds and one available ICU bed.
- Blake Medical Center: 57 COVID-19 positive patients, 15 of whom are in ICU, 14 available non-ICU beds and no available ICU beds
On Wednesday, Manatee County EMS responded to 24 suspected COVID-19 calls, among the highest daily totals since the procedure was implemented.
The newest cases reported in Manatee County were among 1,321 new test results reported, with a 13.2% positivity rate.
Overall, the positive rate locally is 10.3% and statewide, it was 12.1%.
Surrounding counties:
- Sarasota County cases increased from 4,567 to 4,644. The death toll rose from 109 to 110.
- Desoto County cases increased from 1,112 to 1,123. The death toll remained at 14.
- Hardee County cases increased from 726 to 733. The death toll remained at four.
- Hillsborough County cases increased from 24,891 to 25,432. The death toll rose from 260 to 278.
- Pinellas County cases increased from 14,191 to 14,371. The death toll rose from 342 to 364.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 11:01 AM.
