Thursday’s Coronavirus Updates: 27 new deaths reported in Florida, 5 in SWFL

Published: Updated:
Coronavirus updates

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, there have been 29,648 positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 28,843 Florida residents and 805 non-Florida residents. There are 987 deaths reported and 4,640 hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health.

There have been 303,050 tests administered in Florida. A total of 29,648 tests have come back positive, and 271,499 tests have come back negative. The remainder are still pending, according to the FDOH website.

The state has also released a list of long-term care facilities where cases have been reported.

*Numbers are released by the DOH twice daily at approximately 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

*Editors note: The DOH has removed some previously reported positive cases from their report totals, causing fluctuations in case totals. The state does not track recoveries. WINK News is working to find out from DOH why these cases have been removed.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS

Total number of cases: 29,648 (up from 28,576)
Deaths: 987 (up from 927)

  • 1,072 total new cases reported Thursday
  • 60 total new deaths reported Thursday

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS

Total in SWFL: 1,660 (up from 1,559)
Deaths: 65 (up from 60)

  • 114 total new cases reported Thursday
  • 7 total new deaths reported Thursday

Lee County: 887 (up from 823) – 32 deaths (1 new death)
Collier County: 507 (up from 490) – 14 deaths (3 new deaths)
Charlotte County: 178 (up from 161) – 12 deaths
DeSoto County: 24 (unchanged) – 4 deaths
Glades County: 5 (unchanged) – 1 death
Hendry County: 59 (up from 56) – 2 deaths (1 new death)

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


RESOURCES

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

LATEST CLOSURES: Southwest Florida business updates and store closings

#GulfshoreStrong: Covering people making a difference in SWFL

FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of April 20


THURSDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES


UPCOMING BRIEFINGS:

  • 5 p.m. – White House Coronavirus Task Force Briefing


Punta Gorda firefighter tests positive

The City of Punta Gorda said Thursday that a firefighter has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The city sent a memo to its fire and police staffs, letting them know about the case, along with reminders to abide by CDC guidelines.

No further information on the positive case was given.


Collier County Beach Reopening Work Group meets

The Collier County Beach Reopening Work Group met virtually Wednesday and said they had a productive discussion about safe and coordinated ways to responsibly reopen local beaches to the public. The collaborative group includes staff-level leadership from Collier County, Lee County, City of Naples, and the City of Marco Island.

“Specific recommendations are expected to be presented and discussed with elected officials in each of the participating agencies at scheduled public meetings next week. It is expected that these recommendations will be informed by the work of the Governor’s Re-Open Florida Task Force.”


Lee County field hospital being demobilized

A field hospital that was staged in Lee County is being demobilized. The field hospital was staged in anticipation of potential need, but the state said the county has maintained available bed capacity.

“The state continues to stand ready to support the county if there is a future need. We are prepared to deploy field hospitals that are staged at other areas of the state to Lee County if needed, and we also have the ability to surge staff into existing facilities – opening up additional capacity in those hospitals,” a state press release said.


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

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