Florida adds 289,204 COVID cases, 605 deaths in past week
Florida reported 289,204 coronavirus cases over the seven-day period from Jan. 14-20, an average of about 41,300 infections per day. That’s down nearly 33 percent from the week before, when the state hit a record 61,000 infections per day.
It’s the first time that weekly cases have fallen since the omicron variant first was detected in Florida on Dec. 7, suggesting that the omicron wave may have crested. Still, the past week’s case count is more than twice the peak of any previous wave.
The latest tally brings the total number of the state’s COVID-19 cases up to 5,280,903 since the pandemic’s first two cases in Florida were reported nearly 23 months ago on March 1, 2020.
The state added 605 deaths since the previous report, up from 470 deaths reported the week before. That brings the total statewide number of pandemic deaths to 63,763.
Most of these occurred more than a week ago and were recorded by the state over the past seven days. It can take officials two weeks or more to confirm COVID-19 related deaths. Of the 605 deaths added, 140 occurred between Jan. 14-20, though that number will increase as more are confirmed in coming days.
The Florida Department of Health announced in June that it no longer would release daily COVID-19 data. Instead, it releases one report every Friday — but it continues to withhold other information that previously was publicly available.
As of June 4, the state no longer reports non-resident vaccinations, coronavirus cases and fatalities. The state has repeatedly declined requests to provide non-resident data to the Tampa Bay Times.
The state does not report the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths by vaccination status.
VACCINATIONS: Florida administered 92,953 first and second doses of vaccine in the past week. It’s the lowest number of doses since the first weeks that the vaccine was available in December 2020. Just over 55,000 Floridians got their first dose, while nearly 5.7 million eligible residents remain unvaccinated.
Vaccinations for children ages 5-11 numbered 15,684 in the past week. Fewer than 20 percent of children in that age group have been vaccinated. That age group also had the highest case positivity rate in the state, with nearly a third testing positive.
As of Thursday, 73 percent of Florida residents ages 5 and up have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the state.
Still, 31 percent of Florida’s total population remains unvaccinated, including children 4 and under, who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine.
In Manatee County, 69 percent of eligible residents age 5 and up are vaccinated. In Hillsborough and Pinellas, the figure is 68 percent; in Pasco, 67 percent; in Polk, 65 percent; and in Citrus and Hernando counties, 60 percent of eligible residents are vaccinated.
BOOSTER SHOTS: Florida administered 115,852 booster doses, the lowest weekly count since September. Booster shots are available to all those age 12 and up who received either their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months ago or their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at least five months ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say studies show boosters stave off severe illness and death from omicron much better than just the first two vaccine doses.
POSITIVITY: Florida’s rate fell slightly to 26.8 percent in the past week, down from 29.3 percent. Rates were highest among children and young adults, with those ages 5-11 testing positive 33.2 percent of the time and those ages 12-19 at 32.8 percent. Positivity was 28.6 percent for children under 5.
Positivity rates around the Tampa Bay area were 31.8 in Hernando, 30.7 percent in Polk, 30.1 in Pasco, 28.1 in Hillsborough, 27.7 in Citrus, 26.8 in Pinellas, and 26.2 in Manatee.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: Florida had 11,121 confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospitals as of Friday, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Tampa Bay area saw 3,360 COVID-19-related hospital admissions between Jan. 12-18, the latest data available, according to the CDC. Hillsborough County hospitals had 1,291 admissions; Pinellas had 829; Polk had 615; Pasco had 301; Manatee had 134; Hernando had 132; and Citrus had 58.
LOCAL NUMBERS: Tampa Bay added 56,573 cases in the past week, bringing the area running total up to 948,163.
As of Thursday’s count, Hillsborough added 18,219 cases; Pinellas added 11,779 ; Polk, 10,837; Pasco, 7,093; Manatee, 4,526; Hernando, 2,515; and Citrus, 1,604.
The CDC reported that the Tampa Bay area counted 98 deaths from Jan. 12-18, nearly double the number from the week before. Hernando County had 37 deaths; Hillsborough had 17; Pasco had 16; Polk had 13; Pinellas had 9; and Manatee and Citrus counties each had three deaths.
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How to get tested
Tampa Bay: The Times can help you find the free, public COVID-19 testing sites in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.
Florida: The Department of Health has a website that lists testing sites in the state. Some information may be out of date.
The U.S.: The Department of Health and Human Services has a website that can help you find a testing site.
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How to get vaccinated
The COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 and up and booster shots for eligible recipients are being administered at doctors’ offices, clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores and public vaccination sites. Many allow appointments to be booked online. Here’s how to find a site near you:
Find a site: Visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites in your ZIP code.
More help: Call the National COVID-19 Vaccination Assistance Hotline.
Phone: 800-232-0233. Help is available in English, Spanish and other languages.
TTY: 888-720-7489
Disability Information and Access Line: Call 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@n4a.org.
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More coronavirus coverage
OMICRON VARIANT: Omicron changed what we know about COVID. Here’s the latest on how the infectious COVID-19 variant affects masks, vaccines, boosters and quarantining.
KIDS AND VACCINES: Got questions about vaccinating your kid? Here are some answers.
BOOSTER SHOTS: Confused about which COVID booster to get? This guide will help.
BOOSTER QUESTIONS: Are there side effects? Why do I need it? Here’s the answers to your questions.
PROTECTING SENIORS: Here’s how seniors can stay safe from the virus.
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