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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 Makes Up Nearly 17% Of National COVID-Related Hospitalizations

While hospitals continue to feel the strain of the current surge, reported deaths in the COVID state went up by 901, according to data released Thursday by federal agencies.

Florida accounted for nearly 17 percent of the COVID-19 patients hospitalized nationwide Thursday, according to data reported to federal agencies.

Nationally, 101,050 people were hospitalized with the disease, with 16,833 in Florida. However, it was the first time in over a week that Florida COVID hospitalizations dropped below 17,000.

The number of COVID patients in Florida intensive care units increased to 3,743. That represents 55 percent of the staffed ICU beds in Florida. The state now has less than 5 percent of its staffed ICU beds available.

Meantime, the state added 901 deaths related to COVID, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The deaths, which may have occurred over the past several days or weeks, bring the state's coronavirus death toll to 43,632.

The state's total COVID cases went up by 21,765.

Health News Florida's Stephanie Colombini and the News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

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Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.