208 new COVID-19 cases in Manatee County. 16 new deaths reported in Sarasota County
Manatee County has 208 new positive cases of the coronavirus, making more than 18,000 people who have been infected since the start of the pandemic.
Across Florida, there were 7,985 new coronavirus infections reported Tuesday by the Florida Department of Health. Cases in the state now total 1,073,770.
The deaths of 96 Florida residents and two non-residents who died from COVID-19 were also reported by the health department on Tuesday. Since March, there have been 19,378 residents and 29 non-residents killed by COVID-19.
No new deaths were reportedly locally on Thursday. There have been 392 Manatee County residents confirmed to have died from COVID-19.
The health reported 178 of the new cases were confirmed on Monday and were among 1,684 test results, for a 9.6% positivity rate. The median age of those 178 infected was 44. At the state level, the daily positivity rate was 7.9% and the median age of those infected was 39.
According to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, there were 66 patients hospitalized locally on Tuesday with COVID-19 as a primary diagnosis and reason for admission — about 37.5% more than a week earlier. Statewide, there were 4,560 patients hospitalized because of COVID-19, 6.5% more than last week.
The county’s three general hospitals — Blake Medical Center, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Manatee Memorial Hospital — had 61 available beds, including five ICU beds , not accounting for available staffing, according to AHCA.
Surrounding Counties
- Sarasota County: Cases increased from 14,862 to 15,024. The death toll rose from 399 to 415.
- Desoto County: Cases increased from 2,515 to 2,525. The death toll rose from 38 to 39.
- Hardee County: Cases increased from 1,817 to 1,820. The death toll remained at 19.
- Hillsborough County: Cases increased from 61,599 to 62,149. The death toll increased from 967 to 969.
- Pinellas County: Cases increased from 35,202 to 35,505. The death toll increased from 930 to 939.
This story was originally published December 8, 2020 at 2:58 PM.
