Florida COVID resident deaths tick up, but cases lowest reported in more than a year

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel
·5 min read

The state Department of Health reported 10,095 new coronavirus cases this week among Florida residents to bring the cumulative total to 2,310,881. With 290 more fatalities, 37,555 Florida residents are now dead.

It’s the second week with higher reported death totals, up slightly from last week’s reported 280 increase and the 211 reported the week previous, but still lower than the 29 weeks straight of more than 300 weekly reported deaths seen since early November. Deaths can take several days or weeks to be reported, though, so it will take time to see the true cumulative weekly death toll.

Case counts continue to be adjusted after initial numbers are released as well.

That said, cases were down by more than 1,000 reported positive results from last week’s reported increase of 11,454. The reported increase is the lowest since the 9,348 reported the week ending June 11, 2020, more than a year ago.

This is the third report from the Florida DOH since it reduced COVID-19 reporting to once weekly, with this week covering June 11-17. While the state lists its increases in cases and deaths reported within the last week by date of the report, the Sentinel is choosing to calculate the weekly numbers the same way it did previously, by subtracting the cumulative count from the one that came before it.

A new feature is the per 100,000 count, which is based on the actual date the case was opened. For every 100,000 residents in the latest seven-day period, there were 48.4 new cases in Florida, down from last week’s 55.3.

In Central Florida, Orange County had 51.9, down from last week’s 62.8; Osceola had 73.2, down from 90.1; Seminole had 54.4, down from 56.5, Lake had 37.6, down from 42.4; Sumter had 37.1, up from 26.2; Brevard had 39.6, down from 40.1; Volusia had 46.5, up from 44.5; and Polk had 50.4, down from 56.6.

Of note, the new state reports deal only with Florida resident cases – instead of residents and non-residents combined – because the non-resident numbers are no longer available in the new reports.

Across the state, 1,754 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 for the seven-day period ending June 14, according to the latest White House report. In comparison, 1,820 were hospitalized the previous week, and 2,090 the week previous to that. Of those hospitalized this past week, 44% were between the ages 30-59 while 43% were 60 and up.

Statewide, 10,659,464 residents, or 56% of ages 12 and up, have received at least one vaccination shot, including 8,979,816, who have completed their shot regimens. The count is a snapshot through June 17.

Of those who have received at least the first dose, 3,785,879, or 83%, are over the age of 65.

Statewide, the latest weekly positivity rate reported by the Florida Department of Health was 3.3%, but that’s for new cases only and excludes anyone who previously tested positive.

Central Florida added 2,373 resident cases this week, based on actual date the state opened the case, for a total of 424,195: 769 more in Orange for 142,710; 357 more in Polk for 71,561; 289 in Osceola for 46,205; 266 in Volusia for 44757; 240 in Brevard for 42,844; 268 in Seminole for 35,735; 146 in Lake for 30,911; and 38 in Sumter for 9,472.

Deaths are not available by county in the new weekly report.

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Symptoms? Do this

Are you feeling stressed or depressed from the COVID19 outbreak? There are resources available for you. You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or visit https://www.samhsa.gov/disaster-preparedness

How to protect yourself

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with people in poor health.

  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

  • Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Questions? Here are numbers to call

The Florida Department of Health has set up a call center to answer questions about coronavirus. There’s a number for Orange County, too.

The Florida Department of Health’s number is 1-866-779-6121 and is available Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents may also email questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

In Orange County, the number to call is 407-723-5004; it’s available Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For mental-health help, here is a list of resources.

For accurate, up-to-date information, visit

This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com.