Florida reports 944 COVID deaths, over 15,000 cases this week

The Florida Department of Health reported 15,314 new coronavirus cases this week among Florida residents to bring the cumulative total to 3,635,126. With 944 more fatalities on record, 58,803 Florida residents have died.

This week’s 944 reported deaths reflect a decrease from the 1,192 reported last week, but deaths can take several days or weeks to be reported. The majority of the newly reported deaths are people who died before this week.

The number of weekly cases decreased compared to the previous week’s 19,519. Positivity decreased to 3.4%, but that’s for new cases only and excludes anyone who previously tested positive.

Of note, the state reports deal only with Florida resident cases and exclude non-residents cases, which are no longer available.

Across the state, 2,312 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 from Oct. 13-19, according to the latest White House report. In comparison, 2,969 were hospitalized the previous week. The week before that, it was 4,901.

Statewide, 13,865,300 residents, or 73% of people age 12 and up, have received at least one vaccination shot, including 11,279,765 who have completed their shot regimens through Oct. 21. Statewide, 102,545 received an additional dose last week, bringing the total to 875,991.

Central Florida added 3,318 resident infections this week, based on the actual date the state opened the case, for a total of 712,650: 1,018 more in Orange for 227,246; 305 more in Osceola for 71,294; 540 more in Polk for 128,010; 261 more in Lake for 54,129; 82 more in Sumter for 14,451; 558 more in Volusia for 75,256; 301 more in Brevard for 80,429; and 253 more in Seminole for 61,835.

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