Florida COVID-19 cases reach 14,747 Tuesday; 296 deaths
County leaders try to clear up essential business confusion
Before Governor Ron DeSantis’ 'stay at home' executive order went into effect, Hillsborough County was trying to be lenient and keep even non-essential businesses open. County leaders are now saying the state order supersedes their original one.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state has risen by 1,118 since Monday evening's update as the virus spreads and as more people get tested across the state. The total number of cases in Florida is now 14,747.
The number of deaths Tuesday evening neared 300, with an additional of 42 deaths in 24 hours.
Among them include a 46-year-old woman in Hernando County, the first COVID-19 death for the county. Hillsborough and Manatee counties each reported two additional deaths Tuesday evening, and Pinellas County reported one death.
"We are expressing our condolences to the person's family and will continue to work with the state Florida Department of Health (DOH) and our community partners to prevent the spread of COVID-19," according to a statement by the Florida Department of Health in Hernando County.
Of the 14,747 cases, 14,302 are Florida residents while 445 are non-Florida residents currently in the state.
Bay Area COVID-19 cases by the numbers:
Hillsborough:608 2 new deaths
Pinellas: 387 1 new death
Sarasota: 173
Manatee: 164 2 new deaths
Sumter: 87
Polk: 199
Citrus: 51
Hernando: 51
Pasco: 122
Highlands: 37
DeSoto: 16
Hardee: 2
The state is not reporting a total number of "recovered' coronavirus patients. As of Tuesday, 1,893 were currently hospitalized for treatment.
A total of 138,618 people have been tested in the state as of Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The St. Petersburg Police Department announced one of their officiers tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile in Hillsborough County, Metropolitan Ministries is asking for donations as demand for food tripled since the pandemic began.
LINK: County-by-county Florida coronavirus cases
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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