What to Know
- Florida reported 3,356 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the state's total to 744,988
- Another 141 virus-related deaths among Florida residents were also reported
- The positivity rate of new cases was 5.20%, slightly below Wednesday's rate of 5.39%
Recent growth in both coronavirus cases and the share of tests coming back positive in Florida continue to suggest the prevalence of the virus may have bottomed out and is making at least a tentative comeback.
The 3,356 new cases added Thursday is the most in nearly a month and comes as the positivity rate for new cases over seven days reached a three-week high.
New hospitalizations of Florida residents with the virus are also showing signs of increasing, this week posting the highest average daily increases in four weeks.
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
The 3,356 new COVID-19 cases brought Florida's total to 744,988, according to the daily report from the state's department of health.
The apparent changing trend comes two weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the state to open up bars, restaurants and other places where scientists say people can more easily spread the virus that has now claimed 15,763 Floridians’ lives.
With 141 more virus-related deaths among Florida residents, the total rose to 15,736. Another 196 non-resident deaths have been confirmed in the state, three more than were reported Wednesday.
Many deaths reported by the state happened days or weeks earlier, as it takes time to confirm causes of death.
From July 16 — when the state’s daily death toll first topped 200 — through Aug. 15, an average of 200 Floridans were dying COVID-related deaths each day.
The positivity rate for all cases in Thursday's report was 6.70%, an increase over Wednesday's 6.65% rate and the fourth day in a row that figure has increased.
The positivity rate of new cases was 5.20%, slightly below Wednesday's rate of 5.39%.
Broward County’s seven-day positivity rate is also on the rise, reaching 3.4% for the week ending Wednesday, the highest in five weeks.
Miami-Dade’s seven-day rate is more stable, hovering around 4.75% for the last week, though the daily rate has topped 5% for two consecutive days for the first time in 12 days.
In South Florida, Miami-Dade had 176,809 cases, an increase of about 540 since Wednesday, along with 3,501 COVID-related deaths, an increase of 16 since Wednesday.
In Broward County, there were 80,112 COVID-19 cases reported, a daily increase of about 235, along with 1,492 virus-related deaths, eight more than Wednesday.
Palm Beach County had 48,496 cases and 1,472 virus-related deaths Thursday, while Monroe County had 2,002 cases and 24 deaths.
