Manatee County has 62 new COVID infections as Florida reports 245 more deaths
Manatee County has 62 new positive cases of the coronavirus, according to data released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health.
The state reported 5,446 new infections, for a total of 497,330 people who have contracted the coronavirus. In Manatee County, positive cases total 8,887 since the pandemic got underway in March.
The new cases come despite a reduction in test results, especially after state-run testing sites were shut down over the weekend because of the threat of Hurricane Isaias.
Across the state there were also 245 deaths announced from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
The deaths reported set the third highest daily record of deaths reported, with 257 deaths on Friday and 253 deaths on Thursday being the highest. The deaths did not necessarily occur in the past 24 hours, since it often takes days to confirm a COVID-19 death.
The state’s official death toll now stands at 7,402.
The deaths of two non-residents were also reported. The Florida Department of Health tallies these deaths separate, which now stand at 124.
None of the new deaths announced Tuesday were Manatee County residents. The local official death toll remains 187.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 decreased again on Tuesday at the county’s three general hospitals, with 108 patients currently admitted who are positive for the coronavirus, according to data reported by the hospitals to county officials daily. Those requiring intensive care also decreased with 18 COVID patients currently in an ICU.
According to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, there were 95 hospital inpatients whose primary reason for admission was COVID-19.
Hospitalizations for those who are positive still account for about 16 percent of all current patients at the three hospitals, however, as available staffed beds remain sparse — which is uncommon during the summer months locally.
Blake Medical Center remained at capacity, while the remaining hospitals had a total of 18 available beds, including three ICU beds.
The breakdown among hospitals of COVID-19 cases and available beds was:
- Manatee Memorial Hospital: 50 COVID-19 positive patients, 7 of whom are in ICU, six available non-ICU beds and two available ICU beds.
- Lakewood Ranch Medical Center: 13 COVID-19 positive patients, three of whom are in ICU, nine available non-ICU beds and one available ICU bed.
- Blake Medical Center: 51 COVID-19 positive patients, 13 of whom are in ICU.
The daily positivity rate for the latest 517 test results released locally on Tuesday was 12%, lower than the previous day but still above the target range.
The overall positivity rate in Manatee County and statewide remained the same, at 10.9% and 13.1%, respectively.
Surrounding counties
- Sarasota County cases increased from 5,814 to 5,854. The death toll rose from 121 to 128.
- DeSoto County cases increased from 1,297 to 1,308. The death toll rose from 15 to 16.
- Hardee County had no new cases reported. The death toll remained at seven.
- Hillsborough County cases increased from 30,450 to 30,798. The death toll increased from 348 to 369.
- Pinellas County cases increased from 16,886 to 17,047. The death toll increased from to 442 to 460.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 11:46 AM.
