Breast Cancer treatment is evolving; Same day mastectomies are becoming more commonTraffic nightmare due to road and lane closures near eventful night in downtown Fort Myers
Credit: MGN As of Thursday at 11 a.m., there have been 48,675 positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida. The case count includes 47,391 Florida residents and 1,294 non-Florida residents. There are 2,144 deaths reported and 8,946 hospitalizations, according to the Florida Department of Health. There have been 815,584 tests administered in Florida. A total of 48,675 tests have come back positive, and 765,254 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 daily at approximately 11 a.m. STATEWIDE NUMBERS Total number of cases: 48,675 (up from 47,471) Deaths: 2,144 (up from 2,096) 1,204 total new cases reported Thursday 48 total new deaths reported Thursday SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS Total in SWFL: 3,460 (up from 3,322) Deaths: 201 (up from 200) 138 total new cases reported Thursday 1 total new death reported Thursday Lee County: 1,585 (up from 1,542) – 88 deaths (1 less death*) Collier County: 1,112 (up from 1,058) – 41 deaths (1 new death) Charlotte County: 410 (up from 398) – 51 deaths DeSoto County: 94 (up from 80) – 7 deaths Glades County: 19 (up from 16) – 1 death Hendry County: 240 (up from 228) – 12 deaths Click HERE for a SWFL case-by-case breakdown – updated daily. *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. THURSDAY COVID-19 HEADLINES Meat prices on the rise as we head into Memorial Day weekend As playgrounds ready to reopen CDC says COVID-19 not easily spread on surfaces Nearly 39 million have sought US jobless aid since virus hit UPCOMING BRIEFINGS: TBD Updated test result procedures at CenturyLink COVID-19 testing site In order to expedite the confirmation of results from daily testing at the COVID-19 sites, the state has expanded the capacity to contact individuals who are tested at sites, including CenturyLink in Lee County. Specifically. The state has streamlined these results to come from a HIPAA compliant, contracted call center, which can contact up to 10,000 individuals per day. If you have not been contacted within 5 days after testing, you may request your results by: 1. Calling: (850) 583-2419 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. 2. Sending an email to COVID19Results@cdrmhealth.com. You will be prompted to complete an authorization to release information. 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 May 18 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 <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> *The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.