As a reminder, according to the Coronavirus Task Force, those over the age of 60 are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. As of today, there are 328 state cases and 8 deaths in Florida. In the U.S. 9,464 cases, 155 deaths, and 108 recovered. Worldwide, 219,965 cases, 8,980 deaths, and 85,769 recovered.
The United States is now 6th in the world in total cases passing South Korea and France over the past day in total cases. We’ve had nearly 3,000 new positive cases in the US in the past 24 hours along with 39 additional deaths. The most disconcerting aspect of the virus at this point remains the death/recovery rate based on closed cases. It has remained at 9% for the second consecutive day. We’ve seen the death rate rise as the reach of the virus grows. The common pattern with the virus spreading is an increase in death rates with vulnerable early on followed by improving rates over time as people begin to recover. In the early stages of the breakout in the US, we’re continuing to see more people die for the virus than fully recover. I’m not at all trying to be an alarmist.
Wednesday brought about 112 new diagnosed cases in Florida and the 8th death attributed to the virus. We also learned that South Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart became the first member of Congress to test positive for the virus. He’s been in isolation in Washington D.C. since last Friday. Palm Beach County State Representative Mike Caruso is also isolating after concerns he might have been exposed. Speaking of Palm Beach County, the youngest diagnosis yet, a six-year-old occurred in PBC.
The range in age for positive tests in our state now ranges from 6 to 89. 54% of all of Florida’s cases currently are in the tri-county area.
- Broward: 80
- Miami-Dade: 77
- Palm Beach: 21
In the early going of testing, we’re seeing a really high rate of positive tests in Florida. To date, 25% of all test results for COVID-19 have come back positive. That’s risen 4% over the past day. It remains much higher than the guidance provided by the Coronavirus Task Force. Nationally and internationally which have ranged from 1%-4%. There are 1,140 outstanding tests awaiting results, the most yet, so expect these numbers to increase considerably over the next day.
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