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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

Florida Nears 15,000 COVID-19 Deaths, Positivity Rate At Almost Two-Week High

The Florida Department of Health recorded 2,251 more people testing positive for coronavirus since Monday's report, as well as the deaths of 59 people.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health recorded 2,251 more people testing positive for coronavirus since Monday's report, as well as the deaths of 59 people.

The Florida Department of Health reports 2,251 people tested positive for coronavirus since Monday, bringing the statewide number of total cases to 720,125.

In addition, 432 cases were reported in the greater Tampa Bay region.

The state received results from 46,940 tests Monday, with the positivity rate for those who were tested for the first time coming in at 5.26%. That's the highest single-day level since Sept. 23. It's also the first day above 5%, a key reopening threshold agreed on by global health experts, since Sept. 30.

The state has seen a daily average of 56,543 tests returned over the last two weeks.

Tuesday's report also recorded the deaths of 59 people due to complications from COVID-19 since Monday, bringing the statewide death toll to 14,945.

Sarasota County reported three new deaths, Pinellas County reported two, and Hernando County reported one. However, Hillsborough County's total number of deaths decreased by four from Monday, while Polk County's total shrank by one.

The deaths were recorded by the state since Monday's report, but may have occurred days or weeks earlier.

ABOUT THE DATA: The Florida Department of Health produces a daily update around 11 a.m. with information about COVID-19 cases and deaths that were reported over the previous 24 hours. Cases and deaths in the report may have happened days or weeks earlier, according to state officials. The state separately tracks cases and deaths that occurred on specific days on its dashboard and those totals are frequently updated.

Greater Tampa Bay region positive tests as of Tuesday, Oct. 6:

  • Hillsborough: 43,166
  • Pinellas: 22,603
  • Polk: 20,587
  • Manatee: 11,848
  • Pasco: 9,538
  • Sarasota: 8,407
  • Hernando: 3,259

Florida COVID-19 daily total of positive tests/deaths for the last two weeks:

  • Oct. 6: 2,251/59
  • Oct. 5: 1,415/41
  • Oct. 4: 1,868/43
  • Oct. 3: 2,787/74
  • Oct. 2: 2,660/111
  • Oct. 1: 2,628/131
  • Sept. 30: 1,948/175
  • Sept. 29: 3,266/106
  • Sept. 28: 738/5
  • Sept. 27: 1,882/12
  • Sept. 26: 2,795/107
  • Sept. 25: 2,847/122
  • Sept. 24: 2,541/179
  • Sept. 23: 2,590/203

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7

Mark Schreiner has been the producer and reporter for "University Beat" on WUSF 89.7 FM since 2001 and on WUSF TV from 2007-2017.