Florida health officials say two patients have died from coronavirus

Florida health officials late Friday announced the deaths of two patients who had suffered from COVID-19, the diseased caused by the new coronavirus. One in Santa Rosa County, a case the governor announced Thursday, and one in Lee County. The Lee County case had not yet been announced.

The health department also announced that two elderly male patients in Broward County had tested presumptive positive for the virus. They were described as being 65 years old and 75 years old. Both are in isolation.

The state did not offer any information about the Lee County case other than to say it was an “individual in their 70s.” The Lee County and Santa Rosa patients had traveled internationally.

Two sources with knowledge of Broward Memorial Healthcare System told the Miami Herald that a patient had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Broward Memorial’s spokeswoman declined to comment, saying that all information about the case would be handled by the state.

With the Santa Rosa County man’s death, there are now two known patients in Florida who have tested positive for the virus. Another Florida resident has tested positive in Washington. Officials say they’re monitoring dozens more potential cases.

In addition to those cases, the Florida Department of Health reported 55 negative test results and 51 pending results as of Friday. The agency said it is monitoring 264 people for potential COVID-19 symptoms.

This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 10:46 PM with the headline "Florida health officials say two patients have died from coronavirus."