Florida coronavirus cases top 37,000 in Tuesday update; 72 new deaths reported

The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 542 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 37,439.

The number of deaths has reached 1,471, an increase of 72 since Monday's update. Locally, Hillborough and Manatee each reported three, Pinellas and Polk each reported two, and Sarasota noted one more.

Of the 37,439 cases, 36,492 are Florida residents while 947 are non-Florida residents currently in the state. 

Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:

Hillsborough: 1,324

Pinellas: 788

Sarasota: 395

Manatee: 684

Sumter: 236

Polk: 547

Citrus: 100

Hernando: 96

Pasco: 284

Highlands: 88

DeSoto: 40

Hardee: 34

The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered' coronavirus patients or those currently hospitalized. As of Tuesday, 6,330 people had been hospitalized for treatment at some point.

A total of 467,553 people have been tested in the state as of Monday -- about 2.1% of the state's population -- according to the Florida Department of Health.

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

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 over 600 new cases per day. That’s down to a level that the health care system can handle, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Source: Fla. DOH

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:

MOBILE APP USERS: Click here for map