COVID-19 kills 11 more Manatee residents. Florida sets record for new cases in a day
The year 2020 came to an end Thursday with 17,192 new coronavirus infections reported in Florida — the most in one day in the state since the start of the pandemic.
In Manatee, 352 new cases were reported, raising the total since the start of the pandemic to 22,332. Eleven new deaths in the county also were reported, raising the official death toll here to 433.
With the more than 17,000 cases added Thursday, there have been a total of 1,323,315 infections reported in the state, according to the Florida Department of Health.
On Nov. 27, 17,344 cases were added — but that was because no reports had been issued on Thanksgiving Day. Thursday’s single day case count also beats Wednesday’s total, which was the most reported since July.
Statewide, there were 127 Florida residents and eight non-residents reported dead from COVID-19. A total of 21,673 residents and 317 residents non-residents have been killed by the disease during the pandemic.
The latest new cases Manatee County included 327 state residents who tested positive among 3,110 tested, for a positivity rate of a 9.5%. Those residents who tested positive had a median age of 43.
Statewide, the positivity rate for the latest test results was was 11.6%.
Hospitalizations declined slightly in Manatee County on Thursday compared to the previous day, with 68 patients admitted with COVID-19 as a primary diagnosis and reason for their admission, according to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. Since Dec. 1, however, hospitalizations have increased by about 42%.
Overall in Florida, hospitalizations continue to surge with 6,362 patients admitted because of COVID-19, 49% more than on Dec. 1.
Hospital bed availability had decreased in Manatee County’s three general hospitals. There were 118 beds available Thursday, including 17 ICU beds, but those numbers do not account for available staffing, according to AHCA.
As of Thursday, 3,298 people in Manatee County had received a COVID-19 vaccine. In Sarasota, 4,441 people had received a first round of vaccine.
Statewide, more than 211,000 people had been vaccinated, according to the health department.
COVID-19 in surrounding counties
- Sarasota County cases increased from 18,371 to 18,607. The death toll rose from 502 to 509.
- Desoto County cases increased from 2,883 to ,898. The death toll rose from 55 to 56.
- Hardee County cases increased from 2,084 to 2,110. The death toll remained at 20.
- Hillsborough County cases increased from 76,221 to 77,118. The death toll rose from 1,068 to 1,071.
- Pinellas County cases increased from 44,243 to 44,975. The death toll increased from 1,045 to 1,049.
This story was originally published December 31, 2020 at 2:46 PM.
