For the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak began, the state of Florida reported more than 1,000 people tested positive for the virus in a 24-hour period.
According to the Florida Department of Health, 6,741 people in Florida have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of 6 p.m. Tuesday.
That’s an increase of 1,037 since the same time Monday night.
Health officials say 85 people have died from the coronavirus. The daily increase in deaths statewide was 14, the same as Monday.
Among the latest deaths are four Tampa Bay area residents: a 92-year-old woman from Hillsborough County, a 60-year-old man from Polk County, a 68-year-old Manatee County man who had traveled to France, and a 28-year-old Sarasota man who had traveled to Illinois.
Hillsborough and Sarasota counties have both reported three deaths, Manatee has reported two deaths, and Polk has reported one.
Tampa Bay area positive tests:
- Hillsborough: 305 (296 local, 9 non-resident)
- Pinellas: 167 (150 local, 7 non-resident)
- Sarasota 76 (67 local, 9 non-Sarasota residents)
- Polk 73 (73 local)
- Manatee 53 (53 local)
- Pasco 40 (39 local, 1 non-Pasco resident)
- Hernando 24 (23 local, 1 non-Hernando resident)
As of the latest report, 857 people are being treated for COVID-19 in Florida hospitals.
The report also revealed trends in state emergency departments among admissions since the beginning of the year. Not surprisingly, it shows an increase in people admitted for symptoms such as cough, fever and shortness of breath associated with COVID-19. Pinellas and Hillsborough counties both saw spikes in the number of people admitted for coughs around March 18.
Tampa Bay area hospitalizations, as of 6 p.m., Tues. 3/31
- Hillsborough 56
- Pinellas 47
- Sarasota 32
- Polk 28
- Manatee 17
- Pasco 6
- Hernando 6
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