Florida adds 7,179 coronavirus cases, 140 deaths Tuesday
Florida reported 7,179 coronavirus cases and 140 deaths Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths statewide since March to 31,696.
The state has seen 1,918,100 COVID-19 cases through the year-long pandemic. Florida’s first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported on March, 1, 2020, in Hillsborough and Manatee counties.
On average, the Florida Department of Health has reported about 5,652 infections and 135 deaths per day this week. 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.
Hospitalizations: As of Tuesday, Florida hospitals were treating 3,673 patients for COVID-19, including 754 people in the Tampa Bay region.
The health department reported 313 new admissions Tuesday, including 50 admissions locally.
About 22 percent of hospital beds and 20 percent of adult intensive care unit beds were available statewide. In Tampa Bay, about 19 percent of hospital beds and 20 percent of adult ICU beds were open.
Positivity: Florida’s positivity rate was about 6.2 percent Tuesday, 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 that testing is widespread enough to capture mild, asymptomatic and negative cases.
The District of Columbia and 30 states currently have a positivity rate below 5 percent.
Local numbers: Tampa Bay added 1,217 cases and 51 deaths Tuesday.
Hillsborough County added 15 deaths, while Polk added 10 deaths. Pasco reported nine deaths and Manatee recorded seven. Pinellas and Hernando counties added five deaths each. There were no new deaths in Citrus County.
As of the latest count, Hillsborough has 111,990 cases and 1,537 deaths, Pinellas has 66,894 cases and 1,469 deaths, Polk has 57,339 cases and 1,158 deaths, Manatee has 32,089 cases and 611 deaths, Pasco has 33,551 cases and 664 deaths, Hernando has 11,370 cases and 408 deaths, and Citrus has 9,791 cases and 407 deaths.
‣ ‣ ‣
Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage
HOW CORONAVIRUS IS SPREADING IN FLORIDA: Find the latest numbers for your county, city or zip code.
VACCINES Q & A: Have coronavirus vaccine questions? We have answers, Florida.
FACE MASKS: Read the latest on guidelines, tips for comfort and long-term wear
GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information.
THE CORONAVIRUS SCRAPBOOK: We collected your stories, pictures, songs, recipes, journals and more to show what life has been like during the pandemic.
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.
