COVID-19 kills two more Manatee County residents as vaccinations near 83,000

Florida health officials reported Saturday that two more Manatee County residents have died from the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, vaccinations neared 83,000 on Saturday with 82,992 now having received at least one shot. There are 34,914 who have completed the series and are now fully vaccinated as of Saturday.

The two new deaths were among 80 new resident deaths reported across the state. Both deaths were in age groups over 65 years old. Those over the age of 64 have been hit hard with the virus, representing just 18% of the total cases, but 82% of the fatalities.

Manatee County’s death toll rose to 626 while 32,225 Floridians have now lost their lives to the disease, not including 604 nonresidents.

Health officials reported 104 new cases in Manatee County, bringing the total number of infections since the outbreak to 33,180. The 104 new cases were reported out of 1,997 test results for a daily positivity rate of about 5.2%.

There were another 5,244 cases reported in Florida for a total number of infections of 1,973,109.

According to the latest data, three more Manatee County residents have been hospitalized due to COVID-19, bringing the total number of local hospitalizations to 1,401 since the outbreak.

Of Manatee County’s 626 fatalities, 183 have now been linked back to local long-term care facilities.

Local pediatric cases have climbed to 4,280 cases and those under the age of 18 continue to test positive at around 13.5%.

All Manatee County deaths by age groups:

• 16 and under: Zero.
• 17-24: One.
• 25-34: Six.
• 35-44: 14.
• 45-54: 25.
• 55-64: 66.
• 65-74: Increased from 125 to 126.
• 75-84: Increased from 201 to 202.
• 85 plus: 186.

Manatee County from Friday to Saturday:

• Cases increased from 33,076 to 33,180.
• The death toll increased from 624 to 626.
• The number of hospitalizations since the outbreak increased from 1,398 to 1,401.
• Manatee County’s daily positivity rate is about 4.8%.

Surrounding counties:

• Sarasota County cases increased from 27,863 to 27,928. The death toll remained at 751.
• Pinellas County cases increased from 68,744 to 68,912. The death toll increased from 1,487 to 1,501.
• Hillsborough County cases increased from 115,087 to 115,482. The death toll increased from 1,551 to 1,555.
• Hardee County cases increased from 2,845 to 2,853. The death toll increased from 31 to 34.
• Desoto County cases increased from 3,920 to 3,931. The death toll remained at 77.

This story was originally published March 13, 2021 at 2:54 PM.