Florida coronavirus cases soar past 27,000 as the statewide death toll jumps to 823
Florida’s Department of Health on Monday evening confirmed 398 additional cases of COVID-19 since the morning, bringing the state total of known cases to 27,058, as the state announced 34 new deaths, spiking the overall death toll to 823.
Eleven of the new deaths were in South Florida.
In Miami-Dade, the state added eight people who’ve died of the disease, raising the county’s death toll to 223, the highest in the state. In Broward, two more deaths have raised the county’s death count to 122, now on par with the number of reported deaths in Palm Beach County.
Of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, 26,329 are Florida residents.
It’s likely that the statewide total number of confirmed cases is significantly undercounted because the state reports only the number of Floridians waiting to hear test results from state labs, not private ones — and private labs are completing more than 90% of state tests.
The results of thousands of pending tests from private labs have taken as long as two weeks to be added to the state’s official count. The state’s website does not say its figures exclude the vast majority of pending tests for the novel coronavirus.
Health officials say there has also been a total of 4,000 COVID-19 related hospitalizations in the state.
The statewide and county-level data for COVID-19 hospitalizations includes anyone who was hospitalized during their illness and “does not reflect the number of people currently hospitalized,” according to Florida’s Department of Health.
The department says it does not “have a figure” to reflect current hospitalization data.
Will Miami-Dade ease COVID-19 restrictions?
While Florida continues to see a daily increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, state and local officials say they are seeing signs that the social distancing measures put in place have been effective and are already forming plans to slowly ease COVID-19 restrictions.
On Friday, some beaches in North Florida reopened for limited recreational activities such as running and swimming, with restrictions on hours and groups. The move sparked debates online — and a trending Twitter hashtag #FloridaMorons — as to whether the re-opening was too soon.
For Miami-Dade, an ease on COVID-19 restrictions could mean a limited reopening of parks, marinas and golf courses. As of Sunday, Gimenez said there was “currently no timeline for opening beaches.”
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Florida
Miami-Dade County saw 197 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the morning, raising the county total to 9,657. Health officials say 9,546 are residents, 110 are non-residents and one is a resident who is not in Florida. Those who have fallen ill range from age 0 to 105. (Those in the zero age range are less than 1.) The county has had 949 hospitalizations and 223 deaths, the state’s highest death toll.
Broward County reported 40 additional confirmed cases of the disease since the morning, raising the county total of confirmed cases to 4,078. Health officials say 3,958 are residents and 120 are non-residents. Those who have fallen ill range from 0 to 99. The county has had 122 deaths and 725 hospitalizations.
Palm Beach County had 51 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the morning, raising the county total to 2,260. Health officials say 2,205 are residents, 53 are non-residents and two are residents who are not in Florida. Those who have fallen ill range from 0 to 104. The county has had 369 hospitalizations and 122 deaths.
Monroe County did not report any additional confirmed cases of the disease. The county has 73 known cases of COVID-19. Seven of them are non-residents. Those who have fallen ill range from age six to 80. The Florida Keys have had three deaths and 11 hospitalizations.
This article was updated to reflect the correct number of new confirmed cases in Florida.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 11:03 AM.
