Florida confirms 25 new cases, 6 in Miami-Dade, as Broward total hits state-high 21
South Florida emerged as the state’s epicenter of infections caused by the novel coronavirus late Friday night after officials confirmed 25 new cases of COVID-19, including six new cases in Miami-Dade County and nine new cases in Broward, the bulk of them with no stated connection to travel history.
The state listed 70 Florida residents and seven non-Florida residents who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
All but one of the Miami-Dade cases cited an “unclear” travel history, raising more questions about how the flu-like virus is spreading in Florida.
The cases included a 39-year-old woman, 42-year-old man, a 43-year-old man, a 49-year-old man, a 51-year-old man and a 77-year-old woman.
There are 21 cases so far in Broward, many but not all tied to Port Everglades, making it the largest cluster of the highly contagious disease in the state. Of the nine new Broward cases announced early Saturday, five had recently traveled to Europe.
The Broward cases included younger patients than had been previously announced, including a 19-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman, 22-year-old woman and two 20-year-old women. There was also a 37-year-old man, 58-year-old man, 59-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman.
The Florida Department of Health also confirmed that a Florida resident died from COVID-19 in California. The agency confirmed its first two cases in Orange County, home of Disney World and Universal Orlando, just one day after the parks said they would be shutting down.
There have been nearly 500 negative test results across the state, and 365 people are currently monitored. Two Florida residents have died in the state from the disease, which can be especially life-threatening for those with complicating health conditions and those of advanced age.
Also Friday, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced he has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, four days after the mayor attended a Miami event with a Brazilian government official who later tested positive for the virus.
The news comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he will activate the National Guard in certain parts of the state, and in Broward County, which has had a steady increase in the number of cases for the last week, announced an outright ban on visitation to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other sites.
Because older people and people with underlying health conditions are particularly susceptible to COVID-19, the governor also said that across the state visitors will be screened for fevers and asked about their travel history at adult family care homes, long-term care facilities and adult group homes.
The measures are intended to prevent older populations from getting sick because morbidity is 20 to 40 times higher for that age group than the flu.
Miami Herald reporter Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 12:50 AM.
