Two more Manatee County residents die from COVID-19. Death toll hits 250

Two more Manatee County residents with COVID-19 have died, raising the death toll to 250, and another 32 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday.

The local deaths were among 183 COVID-19-related deaths reported statewide. Throughout the state, 10,580 Florida residents and 137 non-residents have died.

Florida has the fifth highest number of deaths from the coronavirus in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Deaths and hospitalizations are described by health experts as a “lagging indicators” of the virus’ spread. CDC director Robert Redfield recently predicted that mortality in the U.S. should start to slow as soon as this week in response to falling case numbers.

An additional 2,673 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed throughout Florida on Tuesday, continuing a streak of the lowest new case totals reported since mid-June.

The state health department also reported an additional 13 COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Manatee County for a total of 718 since the outbreak began.

The daily positivity rate of COVID-19 tests in Manatee County averaged 4.6 percent over the past week. The county’s overall positivity rate since testing began decreased slightly to 10.98 percent on Tuesday. The state health department’s target range for positivity rates is below 10 percent.

Manatee County cases from Monday to Tuesday:

• Cases increased from 10,209 to 10,241.
• The number of residents hospitalized since the outbreak increased from 705 to 718.
• The death toll in Manatee County increased from 248 to 250.
• The number of males infected is 4,684 compared to 5,279 females.
• The number of tests administered increased from 92,537 to 92,903.

• Manatee County’s overall positivity rate decreased very slightly to 10.98%. That positivity rate was around 9% a month ago.

• 761 cases (8% of all cases) and 117 deaths were among residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Manatee.
  
  

• 24 cases have been reported at Manatee County correctional facilities.

• 1,202 children have tested positive for COVID-19 in Manatee.

Florida cases from Monday to Tuesday:

• Cases increased from 602,829 to 605,502.
• The number of resident deaths increased from 10,397 to 10,580. 137 non-residents have died.
• Florida’s positivity rate increased from 13.53% to 13.54%.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 12:09 PM.