This update is designed to put everything into perspective with straight-forward facts. As a reminder, according to the Task Force, those over the age of 60 are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Officials stated that the symptoms are least severe for younger people and the effects are less severe than the common flu for children. This is different than most viruses which are most dangerous for those oldest and youngest. The task force also indicated the average age of death for someone due to the virus is 80.
As of today, we 160 instate cases, 5 deaths, and zero recovered in Florida. In the U.S., there are 4,733 cases, 93 deaths, and 74 recovered. Around the world, there are 183,047 cases, 7,175 deaths, and 79,890 recovered.
In the United States, we’ve continued to experience more deaths than recoveries. Monday brought expanded testing including drive-thrus and additional Lab Corp and Quest sites administering tests. Naturally, it brought many additional cases as well. Nearly as many tests were conducted in Florida on Monday as in the entire time leading up to it. The range in age for positive tests in our state now ranges from 17 to 83. We're increasingly seeing younger people diagnosed in our state. Broward remains the most active county and 44% of all of Florida’s cases currently are in the tri-county area. There are 39 cases in Broward, 23 in Miami-Dade, and eight in Palm Beach.
In the early going of testing, we’re seeing a really high rate of positive tests in Florida. To date, 20% of all test results for COVID-19 have come back positive. That’s a four percent improvement over where we were coming out of the weekend, though it remains much higher than the guidance provided by the Coronavirus Task Force. Nationally and internationally rates have ranged from 1%-4%. There are 848 outstanding tests awaiting results, nearly as many as had been conducted in all days previously in Florida, so expect these numbers to increase considerably over the next day. Along with an increase in testing in future days.
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