Friday’s Coronavirus Updates: 34 new deaths reported in Florida, 2 in SWFL

Published: Updated:
Coronavirus updates

As of 6 p.m. Friday, there have been 30,533 positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 29,707 Florida residents and 826 non-Florida residents. There are 1,046 deaths reported and 4,699 hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health.

There have been 319,619 tests administered in Florida. A total of 30,533 tests have come back positive, and 288,505 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: 30,533 (up from 30,174)
Deaths: 1,046 (up from 1,012)

  • 885 total new cases reported Friday
  • 59 total new deaths reported Friday

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS

Total in SWFL: 1,758 (up from 1,740)
Deaths: 72 (up from 70)

  • 98 total new cases reported Friday
  • 7 total new deaths reported Friday

Lee County: 940 (up from 928) – 36 deaths
Collier County: 526 (up from 523) – 15 deaths (1 new death)
Charlotte County: 199 (up from 198) – 14 deaths (1 new death)
DeSoto County: 24 (unchanged) – 4 deaths
Glades County: 5 (unchanged) – 1 death
Hendry County: 64 (up from 62) – 2 deaths

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

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FRIDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES


UPCOMING BRIEFINGS:

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

  • Gov. Ron DeSantis gives Friday COVID-19 briefing for Florida


Governor directs surgeon general to allow pharmacies to offer testing

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he has directed Florida’s surgeon general to allow licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests.

The governor made this announcement during his public address in Tallahassee Friday. He also said pharmacies can consider how to offer testing.

DeSantis said the state is ready to help, and it would make testing easier if pharmacies can help too.


Computer glitch causes spike in reported Lee County cases

Lee Health CEO Larry Antonucci said during a phone call Friday, there was a glitch in the system that reports to the Florida Department of Health.

The computers at Lee Health were not communicating with the DOH computers. Therefore, Lee Health had a backlog of numbers that were added to Thursday’s reports.

Antonucci says there is still a backlog of results that will be added Friday and Saturday, so he says not to be surprised by a sudden spike in reported numbers.


Charlotte County is reopening sports fields and dog parks Friday

Charlotte County is reopening sports fields and dog parks Friday morning to give you more opportunities to get outside.

Just because these parks are opening today—doesn’t mean the virus is any less dangerous.

County leaders tell me they’re able to do this because we’re doing a good job of social distancing. And they’re going to make sure people who come out to get some fresh air still follow the guidelines.


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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