Saturday’s Coronavirus Updates: 44 new SWFL cases, first case in Hendry County

Published: Updated:
Coronavirus updates

As of 6 p.m. Saturday, there are 4,038 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 3,877 Florida residents and 161 non-Florida residents. There are currently 56 deaths reported in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health.

As of 7 p.m., FDOH confirms two new state deaths due to coronavirus were patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.

The eight new deaths reported at 11 a.m. were those who tested positive for COVID-19 in Broward, Dade, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas and Volusia counties.

The sixth death in Lee County was a 77-year-old male Florida resident. The case was not travel-related and he had no known contact with a confirmed case, according to FDOH.

At 6 p.m., Hendry County confirmed its first positive coronavirus case, a 39-year-old woman in Clewiston. Travel and contact are unknown currently.

FDOH confirms 44 new cases in total Saturday, 18 after 11 a.m. and 26 after 6 p.m.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS

  • Total number of cases: 4,038 (up from 3,736)
  • Number of Florida residents: 3,877 (up from 3,608)
  • Number of non-Florida residents: 161 (up from 155)
  • Deaths: 56 (up from 54)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS

Total number of cases: 238 (up from 212)*

Deaths: 6

  • Lee County: 119 (up from 101)
  • Collier County: 95 (up from 92 )
  • Charlotte County: 16 (up from 12)
  • DeSoto County: 7 (up from 6)
  • Glades County: 0
  • Hendry County: 1 (first confirmed case)

*Click HERE for a SWFL case-by-case breakdown – updated daily.

As of the most recently revealed numbers, there have been 43,071 total tests administered in the state of Florida, with 3,877 positive tests. 37,327 tests have come back negative, and the remainder are pending, according to the FDOH website.

NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs as business picks up amid coronavirus crisis

LATEST CLOSURES: Southwest Florida business updates and store closings


SATURDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES


WATCH FRIDAY’S NEWS CONFERENCES:

Today’s scheduled live streams:

WATCH: Gov. Ron DeSantis gives live COVID-19 update:

  • 1:25 p.m. President Trump gives remarks as hospital ship prepares to deploy for NY.


Florida surgeon general urges Floridians to stay home

Floridians with smart phones received an alert from the Florida surgeon general Saturday that urged those 65 and older as well as anyone with underlying medical conditions to stay home.

The alert also encouraged all Floridians to practice social distancing.


Hendry County confirms first positive COVID-19 case

Hendry County officials have been notified by the Florida Department of Health that a resident of Hendry County has tested positive for COVID-19.

The safety and well-being of Hendry County residents remains the highest priority, and Hendry County officials strongly urge residents to continue following the guidance provided by the CDC and health department to slow the spread of COVID-19.

  • Stay home as much as possible
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces often
  • If you are sick, call your medical provider or local health department

Orange County says infant tests positive for virus

Orange County officials addressed the public Saturday and also tweeted confirmation of an infant in the county testing positive for the coronavirus.

Orange County residents are currently under a stay-at-home order, and an 11 p.m. curfew until 5 a.m. is also in effect. The county has 206 positive COVID-19 case confirmed as of 11 a.m. Saturday.


Governor says more testing coming to the state

During Gov. Ron DeSantis’ live stream address on COVID-19 in Florida Saturday, he said the state can expect to receive more rapid testing for the coronavirus.

That includes 2,000 more 45-minute tests going to South Florida and Jacksonville.

Friday, the FDA approved Abbott Labs’ devices that test patients positive for coronavirus in five minutes and negative in 15 minutes. DeSantis said he spoke with executives of Abbott and asked Florida receive their devices.

“We believe this could be really game changing here in the State of Florida,” said DeSantis during the live presser.

DeSantis said he also had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump and said Florida will pay for the devices but wanted to stress to the president he would like Abbott to send the devices as soon as possible.


Lee Health reports sixth death

Lee Health reported a sixth death in Lee County Saturday morning. They currently have 22 COVID-19 patients in their care and nine have been discharged. Of their employees, 136 are currently quarantined and three have tested positive for the virus.


IF YOU FEEL SICK:

The Florida Department of Health has opened a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates

*The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.

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