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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 Approaching 750,000 Coronavirus Cases, 16,000 Deaths

The COVID-19 death toll in Florida moved closer to 16,000 people Thursday with the addition of 144 coronavirus-related fatalities.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The COVID-19 death toll in Florida moved closer to 16,000 people Thursday with the addition of 144 coronavirus-related fatalities.

Thursday’s report from the Florida Department of Health shows 144 people died due to complications from COVID-19 since Wednesday’s report, bringing the statewide death toll to 15,932.

The greater Tampa Bay area reported 44 deaths, including 14 in Hillsborough County and 10 in Sarasota County.

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

The daily report also shows 3,356 people tested positive for the coronavirus since Wednesday, bringing the total statewide infections to 744,988.

Thursday’s report shows 563 new positive tests in the greater Tampa Bay region. It’s the third straight day the number of new cases in the region has been over 500.

The state received 69,935 tests Wednesday, and 5.20% of them were positive.

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 Thursday, October 15:

  • Hillsborough: 44,811
  • Pinellas: 23,623
  • Polk: 21,456
  • Manatee: 12,304
  • Pasco: 10,054
  • Sarasota: 8,841
  • Hernando: 3,359


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

  • Oct. 15: 3,356/144
  • Oct. 14: 2,883/66
  • Oct. 13: 2,725/123
  • Oct. 12: 1,533/47
  • Oct. 11: 5,570/180
  • Oct. 10: No report issued from DOH *
  • Oct. 9: 2,908/118
  • Oct. 8: 3,306/170
  • Oct. 7: 2,582/139
  • 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


* - On Oct. 10, a data dump of previously reported lab results prevented the reporting system from normal processing of lab results.

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7

Lisa Peakes is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on WUSF 89.7.