Nearly 8,000 cases of coronavirus now in Florida, death toll stands at 101, health officials say
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state has risen by over 1,000 since Tuesday evening's update as the virus spreads.
That number represents the largest incremental case increase since the number of cases began being tracked at the beginning of March.
The total number of cases in Florida is now 7,773 and the number of deaths now at 101, an increase of 14 in 24 hours.
Of the 7,773 cases, 7,495 are Florida residents while 278 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.
A total of 69,265 people have been tested in the state so far, according to the Florida Department of Health. While Florida’s testing has increased over the past week, the percent of those testing positive for COVID-19 overall is 11 percent. Of the 8,853 tests performed on March 31, there were 1,062 positive results, or 12 percent.
The 14 deceased people who tested positive for COVID-19 were reported in Broward, Dade, Lee, Manatee and Palm Beach counties.
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The department listed the following positive COVID-19 cases in each Central Florida county:
- Alachua County: 90 positive cases of COVID-19
- Brevard County: 38 positive cases of COVID-19
- Flagler County: 20 positive cases of COVID-19
- Lake County: 67 positive cases of COVID-19
- Marion County: 28 positive cases of COVID-19
- Orange County: 392 positive cases of COVID-19
- Osceola County: 115 positive cases of COVID-19
- Polk County: 76 positive cases of COVID-19
- Seminole County: 109 positive cases of COVID-19
- Sumter County: 52 positive cases of COVID-19
- Volusia County: 80 positive cases of COVID-19
They also said that there have been 890 hospital admissions as a result of coronavirus so far.
The new death toll reportedly stands at 87.
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On Wednesday afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he is signing an executive order to issue "stay-at-home" mandate across the entire state of Florida.
The "stay-at-home" order will begin on April 2nd at midnight. It will last for 30 days.
Residents must stay home outside of these essential errands. Essential businesses can also remain open but must practice social distancing. This includes but is not limited to grocery stores, pet services, restaurants offering takeout or delivery services, gas stations, banks, pharmacies, and doctors.
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Coronavirus can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces. Others can then contract the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then their eyes, nose, or mouth.
As stated before, symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They may show in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure, the Florida Department of Health says. Most people recover from COVID-19 without special treatment but the elderly and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.
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There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus, so avoiding exposure is crucial. The department advises the following:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The CDC said that they do not recommend that healthy people wear facemasks. They should only be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people taking care of someone in close settings.
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If you display coronavirus symptoms, you should contact a local health organization and make them aware of your condition prior to arrival while also following specific instructions or guidelines they may have. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and let them know if you have been infected or believe that you may be.
If you are infected, a medical professional or another authority will likely advise that you remain isolated while sick. This includes staying at home and not going into public places or large events.
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Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
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