Over 16,800 cases of coronavirus in Florida, death toll jumps to 371, Florida Department of Health says

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ORLANDO, Fla. - The latest numbers from state health officials show that there are now over 16,800 cases of coronavirus in Florida, with a death toll of 371.

The Florida Department of Health on Thursday evening announced a new statewide total of 16,826 -- 16,323 of those cases are Florida residents. The others are non-Florida residents who tested positive and are isolated in the state.

There have been reportedly 2,298 hospitalizations in Florida because of coronavirus. Orange County, Central Florida's largest county by population has 860 positive cases and 13 deaths. Neighboring Osceola County has 295 cases and five deather, while Seminole County has 229 positive cases and reported its second death Thursday evening.

Florida’s testing has increased over the past week, with 11 percent of those tested showing positive results. Of the 7,065 tests performed on April 8, there were 1,292 positive results, or 18 percent.

"While there has been an increase in percentage, the overall number of people who tested positive for the virus on April 8 is not significantly higher than previous days," FDOH announced. "An increase in percent positives may reflect more spread of the virus, however it may also be a product of more targeted testing in high-risk groups."

Below is an interactive Florida Department of Health dashboard, showing a county-by-county breakdown of positive COVID-19 cases statewide.

If you are having trouble seeing the map or using it (especially on a mobile device), click here to load in a new window.

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Florida remains under a "stay-at-home" order and it will continue until April 30th. Residents must stay at home except to complete essential errands and activities. Essential businesses may also stay open but must enforce social distancing.

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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 Florida Department of Health 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 is now urging that all Americans in areas hit hardest by the novel coronavirus wear some type of facial covering while out in public.

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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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