Coronavirus cases in Florida increase by 497 Thursday; 50 additional deaths

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TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 497 since yesterday morning as the virus spreads and as more people are tested across the state. The total number of cases in Florida is now 33,690.

The number of deaths has reached 1,268, an increase of 50 since Wednesday's update. Locally, Manatee County reported six new deaths, Pinellas added three, while Pasco, Hernando, and Polk each reported one.

Of the 33,690 cases, 32,801 are Florida residents while 889 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.

Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:

Hillsborough: 1,124

Pinellas: 729

Sarasota: 352

Manatee: 580

Sumter: 181

Polk: 483

Citrus: 99

Hernando: 90

Pasco: 249

Highlands: 81

DeSoto: 29

Hardee: 18

The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered' coronavirus patients or those currently hospitalized. As of Thursday, 5,589 had been hospitalized for treatment at some point.

A total of 384,153 people have been tested in the state as of Thursday -- about 1.7% of the population -- according to the Florida Department of Health.

LINK: County-by-county Florida coronavirus cases and ZIP code map

Source: Fla. DOH

After two peaks in early and mid-April, the state’s curve has generally flattened over the last two weeks. Since April 18, the state has averaged just under 750 new cases per day. That’s down to a level that the health care system can handle, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida will gradually lift coronavirus lockdowns in several phases over the next few weeks, the governor announced Wednesday, though parts of the state will reopen more slowly than others.

DeSantis said phase one of the plan to reopen would include wider testing, and he expected to find an increase in cases as more Floridians get tested.

Editor's note: The number of new cases and deaths reported each day does not necessarily reflect the day that the case was confirmed. The state says some private testing labs dump large batches of test results which include cases from previous days. The state's number of deaths represents permanent Florida residents who have died from COVID-19. The number of non-Florida residents who have died from the coronavirus while in the state is not reported.

If you feel sick:

The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website

CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know

AROUND THE WORLD: CoronavirusNOW.com

Map of known COVID-19 cases:

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