18 more cases of COVID-19 in Manatee. Florida sees lowest number of new deaths since June

An additional 18 Manatee County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health. They were among 2,423 new cases reported statewide on Sunday.

The health department also confirmed eight new COVID-19-related deaths in Florida. It was the lowest number of deaths reported since June 15, when seven deaths were reported.

Florida’s death toll from the coronavirus is now at 12,608 residents and 156 non-residents. As of Saturday, Florida ranked fifth in the nation for COVID-19 deaths and third for total COVID-19 cases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. With the addition of cases reported Sunday, Florida has had 663,994 confirmed cases since testing began.

In Manatee County, the official COVID-19 case count rose to 10,886 on Sunday, while the death toll remained at 275.

Positivity rates among those tested in Manatee over the last two weeks remained in the health department’s target range of below 10%. The average test positivity over the last week was 3%, and the week prior was 2.4%.

The county’s overall positivity rate, a measure of all tests since the outbreak began, has remained over 10% since July. On Sunday, it decreased slightly from 10.83% to 10.8%.

The statewide positivity rate decreased from 13.48% to 13.47%.

Manatee County from Saturday to Sunday:

• Cases increased from 10,868 to 10,886. (230 new cases were reported over the past week.)
• The death toll remained at 275. (Nine deaths were reported over the past week.)
• Hospitalizations since the outbreak began increased from 771 to 772 residents.
• The number of men infected is 5,007 compared to 5,633 females and 131 unidentified.
• The total number of tests administered is 100,798. (2,375 tests were recorded over the last week.)
  
  
• The county’s positivity rate decreased slightly from 10.82% to 10.8%. That compares to 10.83% last week, 10.9% two weeks ago, 11% three weeks ago and 11% a month ago.

Florida from Saturday to Sunday:

• Cases increased from 661,571 to 663,994, including 7,509 non-residents.
• The death toll increased from 12,600 to 12,608 residents. Non-resident deaths remained at 156.
• Florida’s overall positivity rate decreased from 13.48% to 13.47%.

Surrounding counties:

• Sarasota County: Cases increased from 7,585 to 7,619. The official death toll remained at 233.
• DeSoto County: Cases increased from 1,533 to 1,534. The official death toll remained 23.
• Hardee County: Cases increased from 1,211 to 1,224. The official death toll remained at nine.
• Hillsborough County: Cases increased from 39,298 to 39,450. The official death toll rose from 585 to 586.
• Pinellas County: Cases increased from 20,872 to 20,992. The official death toll remained at 701.

This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 1:16 PM.