34 new COVID-19 deaths reported in Manatee County. Total cases top 30,000 infections
The COVID-19 death toll in Manatee County spiked on Friday, with the Florida Department of Health reporting 34 new deaths — almost a fifth of all new deaths reported statewide.
Also, with the 146 new infections reported on Friday, there have been 30,118 people in Manatee County who have contracted the coronavirus.
The Florida Department of Health did not immediately respond to questions regarding the spike in newly reported COVID-19 deaths, but it has previously explained such jumps as being the result of backlogs in the certifications of deaths.
Since the start of the pandemic, there now have been 547 residents in Manatee County who have died from COVID-19.
Statewide, there were 190 new deaths reported Friday, including those of seven non-residents. Florida’s official death toll now includes 28,565 residents and 496 non-residents.
The Florida Department of Health also confirmed 7,617 new infection across the state, raising the total who have been infected to 1,814,422.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to decline across Florida, including in Manatee County. On Friday, there were 4,825 patients admitted in hospitals across the state with COVID-19 as a primary diagnosis and reason for admission, according to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. That is more than 37% fewer than a month ago.
The county’s three general hospitals reported 56 patients who were positive for the coronavirus on Friday.
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was capacity, based on available staffing, on Friday, according to information provided to Manatee County government. Blake Medical Center had 31 beds available, including three ICU beds, according to the county government.
Manatee Memorial Hospital had 35 beds available, including four ICU beds, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which does not account for available staffing.
Across the state, there have been 2,225,304 people who have received at least the first dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, as of Friday morning, according to the state health department. Of those people, 963,004 have been fully inoculated.
In Manatee County, there have been 36,765 people who have received at least the first dose of a vaccine, according to the health department. Of those vaccinated so far, 15,537 people have been fully inoculated.
Surrounding counties
- Sarasota County cases increased from 25,801 to 25,878. The death toll remained 676.
- Desoto County cases increased from 3,511 to 3,524. The death toll remained at 69.
- Hardee County cases increased from 2,688 to 2,694. The death toll rose from 24 to 25.
- Hillsborough County cases increased from 105,142 to 105,621. The death toll increased from 1,387 to 1,395.
- Pinellas County cases increased from 62,499 to 62,788. The death toll remained 1,372.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This story was originally published February 12, 2021 at 2:39 PM.
