New coronavirus cases in Florida dropped by more than half this week when compared to last week, the Florida Department of Health said Friday. There were 42,473 new coronavirus cases this week among Florida residents to bring the cumulative total to 5,775,171. With 1,330 more fatalities on record, 68,902 Florida residents have died.
This week’s 1,330 deaths reflect a slight increase from the 1,293 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 103,022. Positivity decreased to 8.2%. That’s for new cases only and excludes anyone who previously tested positive.
Across the state, 5,355 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 from Feb. 9-15, according to the latest White House report. In comparison, 7,397 were hospitalized the previous week. The week before that, it was 9,632.
Statewide, 15,379,508 residents, or 74% of people age 5 and up, have received at least one vaccination shot, including 8,235,681 who have completed their shot regimens but not received an additional dose through Feb. 17. Meanwhile, 24,004 received an additional dose last week, bringing the total to 5,007,337.
Central Florida added 9,876 resident infections this week, based on the actual date the state opened the case, for a total of 1,131,490: 3,073 more in Orange for 369,678; 928 more in Osceola for 111,633; 1,526 more in Polk for 197,390; 823 more in Lake for 83,315; 348 more in Sumter for 21,144; 1,017 more in Volusia for 114,833; 1,316 more in Brevard for 131,391; and 845 more in Seminole for 102,106.