Florida adds 6,906 coronavirus cases, 50 deaths Saturday
Florida reported 6,906 coronavirus cases and 50 deaths Saturday. The total number of reported statewide deaths is now 34,676.
The state has seen 2,118,713 cases of COVID-19 during the 13 month pandemic.
On average, the Florida Department of Health has reported about 5,954 infections and 53 deaths per day over the past seven days. It can take officials up to two weeks to confirm and report a coronavirus-related death, meaning the number of deaths added does not necessarily reflect the number of people who died the previous day.
The health department processed more than 98,000 tests on Friday, reporting a daily positivity rate of about 6.9 percent.
Vaccinations: Florida has distributed at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine to 6,942,405 people, according to Saturday’s report. There were 51,408 people who received their first shot of a two-dose vaccine on Friday and 80,471 who completed a vaccine series. So far, 3,789,666 people have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, while 2,751,892 people have received just one dose. A total of 400,847 people have received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
In Hillsborough County, 422,966 people have been vaccinated; in Pinellas, 344,905; in Pasco, 159,621; in Manatee, 139,618; in Polk, 181,894; in Hernando, 55,891; and in Citrus, 52,313.
Hospitalizations: As of Saturday, Florida hospitals were treating 3,016 patients for COVID-19, including 725 people in the Tampa Bay region.
The health department reported 193 new admissions Saturday, including 44 admissions locally.
About 23 percent of hospital beds and 22 percent of adult intensive care unit beds were available statewide. In Tampa Bay, about 22 percent of hospital beds and 20 percent of adult ICU beds were open.
Positivity: Florida’s positivity rate was about 9.7 percent Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Before reopening, states should maintain a positivity rate of 5 percent or less for at least two weeks, according to the World Health Organization. A positivity rate of 5 percent or less indicates testing is widespread enough to capture mild, asymptomatic and negative cases.
The District of Columbia and 25 states currently have a positivity rate below 5 percent.
Local numbers: Tampa Bay added 1,425 cases and 11 deaths Saturday.
Polk County added six deaths while Hillsborough County reported four deaths. Pasco County added one death. There were no new deaths in Pinellas, Manatee, Hernando and Citrus counties.
Hillsborough and Pasco counties had weekly average positivity rates of about 9 percent as of Saturday. Polk and Hernando counties had positivity rates of about 8 percent. Pinellas and Citrus counties had positivity rates of about 7 percent. Manatee County had a positivity rate of about 6 percent.
As of the latest count, Hillsborough has 126,165 cases and 1,659 deaths, Pinellas has 74,799 cases and 1,585 deaths, Polk has 63,044 cases and 1,288 deaths, Manatee has 35,917 cases and 649 deaths, Pasco has 37,783 cases and 711 deaths, Hernando has 12,815 cases and 453 deaths, and Citrus has 10,523 cases and 441 deaths.
• • •
Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage
CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.
NEED A VACCINE? Here's how to find one in the Tampa Bay area and Florida.
VACCINES Q & A: Have coronavirus vaccine questions? We have answers, Florida.
GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.
GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.
A TRIBUTE TO THE FLORIDIANS TAKEN BY THE CORONAVIRUS: They were parents and retirees, police officer and doctors, imperfect but loved deeply.
HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips
We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.
